CVE-2024-42136 – This CVE describes a signed integer overflow vu... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2024-42136?

CVE-2024-42136 has a CVSS score of 7.8 (HIGH). This CVE describes a signed integer overflow vulnerability in the Linux kernel's CD-ROM driver that could lead to kernel crashes or potential privilege escalation. It affects Linux systems with CD-ROM functionality enabled, particularly those using older SCSI ioctls. The vulnerability was discovered through fuzzing with syzkaller and the reintroduced signed integer overflow sanitizer.

📋 TL;DR

This CVE describes a signed integer overflow vulnerability in the Linux kernel's CD-ROM driver that could lead to kernel crashes or potential privilege escalation. It affects Linux systems with CD-ROM functionality enabled, particularly those using older SCSI ioctls. The vulnerability was discovered through fuzzing with syzkaller and the reintroduced signed integer overflow sanitizer.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Linux kernel

Versions: Versions before the fix commits (specific versions depend on distribution backports)

Operating Systems: Linux distributions using vulnerable kernel versions

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Requires CD-ROM functionality and use of specific SCSI ioctl operations. The vulnerability was found with Clang's signed integer overflow sanitizer reintroduced in kernel development.

📦 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 →

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Kernel panic leading to denial of service, or potential privilege escalation if combined with other vulnerabilities to achieve arbitrary code execution in kernel context.

🟠

Likely Case

Kernel crash or system instability when specific CD-ROM operations are performed, particularly with deprecated SCSI ioctl calls.

🟢

If Mitigated

No impact if the system doesn't use CD-ROM functionality or has the patch applied.

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW - This vulnerability requires local access or specific CD-ROM operations, not directly exploitable over network.

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Local users could potentially crash the system or escalate privileges if they have access to CD-ROM devices.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: NO

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: MEDIUM

Exploitation requires local access and specific CD-ROM operations. The vulnerability was discovered through fuzzing, not active exploitation.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Fixed in kernel commits: 0c97527e916054acc4a46ffb02842988acb2e92b, 3ee21e14c8c329168a0b66bab00ecd18f5d0dee3, e809bc112712da8f7e15822674c6562da6cdf24c, efb905aeb44b0e99c0e6b07865b1885ae0471ebf

Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0c97527e916054acc4a46ffb02842988acb2e92b

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Update Linux kernel to version containing the fix commits. 2. Check your distribution's security advisories for backported patches. 3. Reboot system after kernel update.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable CD-ROM module

linux

Prevent loading of CD-ROM driver if not needed

echo 'blacklist cdrom' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist-cdrom.conf
rmmod cdrom

Restrict SCSI ioctl access

linux

Limit access to CD-ROM devices for non-privileged users

chmod 600 /dev/sr*
chown root:root /dev/sr*

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Restrict physical and logical access to CD-ROM devices
Implement strict user privilege separation and monitoring

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check kernel version and if CD-ROM module is loaded: 'lsmod | grep cdrom' and 'uname -r'

Check Version:

uname -r

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify kernel version is updated and check for presence of fix commits in kernel source

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Kernel logs showing 'UBSAN: signed-integer-overflow' messages
System crashes related to cdrom driver

Network Indicators:

None - local vulnerability only

SIEM Query:

source="kernel" AND ("cdrom" OR "signed-integer-overflow" OR "UBSAN")

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2024-42136

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-190

Published: July 30, 2024

Last Updated: November 3, 2025

🔗 References

📤 Share & Export

📄 Export Markdown 📋 Export JSON

🔗 Related Vulnerabilities

If you're affected by CVE-2024-42136, you might also want to check these: