CVE-2024-26988

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2024-26988?

CVE-2024-26988 has a CVSS score of 7.8 (HIGH). A memory overflow vulnerability in the Linux kernel's initialization code could allow attackers to corrupt kernel memory by providing specially crafted command-line arguments. This affects all Linux systems using vulnerable kernel versions where attackers have local access or can influence kernel boot parameters. The vulnerability stems from incorrect memory allocation when processing command-line strings during system boot.

7.8 HIGH

Denial of Service

📋 TL;DR

A memory overflow vulnerability in the Linux kernel's initialization code could allow attackers to corrupt kernel memory by providing specially crafted command-line arguments. This affects all Linux systems using vulnerable kernel versions where attackers have local access or can influence kernel boot parameters. The vulnerability stems from incorrect memory allocation when processing command-line strings during system boot.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Linux Kernel

Versions: Specific vulnerable versions not explicitly stated in CVE, but affected by commit f5c7310ac73e and fixed in patches referenced

Operating Systems: All Linux distributions using affected kernel versions

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Vulnerability triggers during kernel initialization when processing command-line parameters. Systems allowing custom boot parameters are more exposed.

📦 What is this software?

Linux Kernel by Linux

The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...

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Linux Kernel by Linux

Learn more about Linux Kernel →

Linux Kernel by Linux

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Linux Kernel by Linux

Learn more about Linux Kernel →

Linux Kernel by Linux

Learn more about Linux Kernel →

Linux Kernel by Linux

Learn more about Linux Kernel →

Linux Kernel by Linux

Learn more about Linux Kernel →

Linux Kernel by Linux

Learn more about Linux Kernel →

Linux Kernel by Linux

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⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Kernel memory corruption leading to system crash, denial of service, or potential privilege escalation to kernel-level execution.

🟠

Likely Case

System instability, crashes during boot, or denial of service when malicious command-line parameters are processed.

🟢

If Mitigated

Limited impact with proper access controls preventing unauthorized users from modifying kernel boot parameters.

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW - Requires local access or ability to modify boot parameters, not directly exploitable over network.

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Local attackers or administrators with boot parameter access could exploit this vulnerability.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: MEDIUM

Exploitation requires ability to modify kernel command-line parameters, typically requiring local access or administrative privileges. No public exploits known at this time.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Patches available in stable kernel trees: 0dc727a4e05400205358a22c3d01ccad2c8e1fe4, 2ef607ea103616aec0289f1b65d103d499fa903a, 46dad3c1e57897ab9228332f03e1c14798d2d3b9, 76c2f4d426a5358fced5d5990744d46f10a4ccea, 81cf85ae4f2dd5fa3e43021782aa72c4c85558e8

Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0dc727a4e05400205358a22c3d01ccad2c8e1fe4

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Update Linux kernel to patched version from official kernel.org or distribution repositories. 2. Rebuild kernel if compiling from source. 3. Reboot system to load patched kernel.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Restrict boot parameter modification

linux

Prevent unauthorized users from modifying kernel command-line parameters during boot

Secure bootloader configuration (GRUB password protection)
Enable Secure Boot if available
Restrict physical access to systems

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Implement strict access controls to prevent unauthorized users from modifying kernel boot parameters
Monitor systems for unexpected reboots or boot parameter changes

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check kernel version and compare against patched versions. Examine if system uses vulnerable commit f5c7310ac73e

Check Version:

uname -r

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify kernel version includes one of the fix commits: 0dc727a4e05400205358a22c3d01ccad2c8e1fe4 or other referenced patches

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Kernel panic messages during boot
Unexpected system reboots
Bootloader configuration changes

Network Indicators:

Not network exploitable

SIEM Query:

Search for kernel panic events or unexpected reboot events in system logs

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2024-26988

CVSS v3 Score: 7.8 (HIGH)

CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CWE: CWE-787

Published: May 1, 2024

Last Updated: December 23, 2025

🔗 References

https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0dc727a4e05400205358a22c3d01ccad2c8e1fe4 Patch
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/2ef607ea103616aec0289f1b65d103d499fa903a Patch
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/46dad3c1e57897ab9228332f03e1c14798d2d3b9 Patch
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/76c2f4d426a5358fced5d5990744d46f10a4ccea Patch
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/81cf85ae4f2dd5fa3e43021782aa72c4c85558e8 Patch
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/936a02b5a9630c5beb0353c3085cc49d86c57034 Patch
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0dc727a4e05400205358a22c3d01ccad2c8e1fe4 Patch
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/2ef607ea103616aec0289f1b65d103d499fa903a Patch
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/46dad3c1e57897ab9228332f03e1c14798d2d3b9 Patch
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/76c2f4d426a5358fced5d5990744d46f10a4ccea Patch
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/81cf85ae4f2dd5fa3e43021782aa72c4c85558e8 Patch
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/936a02b5a9630c5beb0353c3085cc49d86c57034 Patch
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2024/06/msg00017.html Third Party Advisory,Mailing List
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/4EZ6PJW7VOZ224TD7N4JZNU6KV32ZJ53/ Third Party Advisory,Mailing List
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/DAMSOZXJEPUOXW33WZYWCVAY7Z5S7OOY/ Third Party Advisory,Mailing List
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/GCBZZEC7L7KTWWAS2NLJK6SO3IZIL4WW/ Third Party Advisory,Mailing List

📋 TL;DR

💻 Affected Systems

📦 What is this software?

Debian Linux by Debian

Fedora by Fedoraproject

Fedora by Fedoraproject

Fedora by Fedoraproject

Linux Kernel by Linux

Linux Kernel by Linux

Linux Kernel by Linux

Linux Kernel by Linux

Linux Kernel by Linux

Linux Kernel by Linux

Linux Kernel by Linux

Linux Kernel by Linux

Linux Kernel by Linux

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

Worst Case

Likely Case

If Mitigated

🎯 Exploit Status

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Instructions:

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Restrict boot parameter modification

🧯 If You Can't Patch

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check Version:

Verify Fix Applied:

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Network Indicators:

SIEM Query:

📊 Metadata

🔗 References

📤 Share & Export

🔗 Related Vulnerabilities