CVE-2024-38541
📋 TL;DR
A buffer overflow vulnerability in the Linux kernel's of_modalias() function allows attackers to write beyond allocated memory boundaries. This affects all Linux systems using the affected kernel versions, potentially enabling arbitrary code execution with kernel privileges.
💻 Affected Systems
- Linux Kernel
📦 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...
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
Full system compromise via kernel privilege escalation leading to complete control of the affected system, data theft, and lateral movement within networks.
Likely Case
Kernel panic causing system crashes and denial of service, with potential for privilege escalation in targeted attacks.
If Mitigated
System instability or crashes without successful exploitation if proper memory protections are in place.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires local access to trigger the vulnerable function. Exploitation depends on specific system configuration and memory layout.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Patches available in stable kernel trees (commits referenced in CVE)
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0b0d5701a8bf02f8fee037e81aacf6746558bfd6
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update to latest stable kernel version from your distribution. 2. Apply specific kernel patches if available. 3. Reboot system to load new kernel.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Kernel Module Restrictions
linuxRestrict loading of kernel modules to prevent triggering vulnerable code paths
echo 1 > /proc/sys/kernel/modules_disabled
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict access controls to limit local user privileges
- Deploy kernel hardening solutions like SELinux/AppArmor with strict policies
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check kernel version and compare with patched versions from distribution vendorCheck Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel version after update matches patched version from vendor advisory📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel panic messages
- System crash dumps
- Unexpected system reboots
Network Indicators:
- None - local exploitation only
SIEM Query:
search 'kernel panic' OR 'system crash' OR 'segmentation fault' in system logs🔗 References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0b0d5701a8bf02f8fee037e81aacf6746558bfd6
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/46795440ef2b4ac919d09310a69a404c5bc90a88
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/5d59fd637a8af42b211a92b2edb2474325b4d488
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/733e62786bdf1b2b9dbb09ba2246313306503414
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/c7f24b7d94549ff4623e8f41ea4d9f5319bd8ac8
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/cf7385cb26ac4f0ee6c7385960525ad534323252
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e45b69360a63165377b30db4a1dfddd89ca18e9a
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/ee332023adfd5882808f2dabf037b32d6ce36f9e
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0b0d5701a8bf02f8fee037e81aacf6746558bfd6
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/cf7385cb26ac4f0ee6c7385960525ad534323252
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e45b69360a63165377b30db4a1dfddd89ca18e9a
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/ee332023adfd5882808f2dabf037b32d6ce36f9e
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2025/05/msg00045.html
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2025/10/msg00007.html
