CVE-2024-26997 – This CVE describes a NULL pointer dereference v... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2024-26997?

CVE-2024-26997 has a CVSS score of 5.5 (MEDIUM). This CVE describes a NULL pointer dereference vulnerability in the Linux kernel's DWC2 USB host controller driver. An attacker could potentially cause a kernel panic or system crash by triggering this issue during USB device operations. Systems using affected Linux kernel versions with DWC2 USB hardware are vulnerable.

📋 TL;DR

This CVE describes a NULL pointer dereference vulnerability in the Linux kernel's DWC2 USB host controller driver. An attacker could potentially cause a kernel panic or system crash by triggering this issue during USB device operations. Systems using affected Linux kernel versions with DWC2 USB hardware are vulnerable.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Linux kernel

Versions: Specific affected versions not explicitly stated in CVE; check kernel commit history for exact ranges.

Operating Systems: Linux distributions using vulnerable kernel versions

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Only affects systems with DWC2 USB host controller hardware enabled in kernel configuration.

📦 What is this software?

Debian Linux by Debian

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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

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

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...

Learn more about Linux Kernel →

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...

Learn more about Linux Kernel →

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...

Learn more about Linux Kernel →

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...

Learn more about Linux Kernel →

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...

Learn more about Linux Kernel →

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...

Learn more about Linux Kernel →

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...

Learn more about Linux Kernel →

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...

Learn more about Linux Kernel →

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...

Learn more about Linux Kernel →

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Kernel panic leading to system crash and denial of service, potentially causing data loss or service disruption.

🟠

Likely Case

System crash or kernel panic when specific USB operations are performed, resulting in temporary denial of service.

🟢

If Mitigated

Minimal impact if system has proper isolation and redundancy; single system crash without data compromise.

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW - Requires local USB device interaction or physical access to trigger.

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Could be exploited by malicious USB devices or through local access to cause system instability.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: MEDIUM

Exploitation requires ability to trigger specific USB operations, likely requiring physical USB device access or privileged local access.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Kernel versions containing the listed git commits

Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/257d313e37d66c3bcc87197fb5b8549129c45dfe

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Update Linux kernel to version containing the fix commits. 2. Reboot system to load new kernel. 3. Verify kernel version after reboot.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable DWC2 USB controller

linux

Disable the vulnerable DWC2 USB host controller if not needed

echo 'blacklist dwc2' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf
rmmod dwc2

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Restrict physical USB device access to trusted personnel only
Implement system redundancy to minimize impact of potential crashes

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check if DWC2 module is loaded: lsmod | grep dwc2. Check kernel version against patched versions.

Check Version:

uname -r

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify kernel version includes fix commits and DWC2 module loads without issues.

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Kernel panic messages in /var/log/kern.log or dmesg
USB-related kernel oops messages

Network Indicators:

None - local vulnerability only

SIEM Query:

source="kernel" AND ("panic" OR "oops") AND ("dwc2" OR "USB")

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2024-26997

CVSS v3 Score: 5.5 (MEDIUM)

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

CWE: CWE-476

Published: May 1, 2024

Last Updated: December 23, 2025

🔗 References

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