CVE-2024-42149
📋 TL;DR
This CVE addresses a race condition in the Linux kernel's filesystem thaw operations that can cause misleading warnings and potential system instability. The vulnerability occurs when multiple processes attempt to mount or thaw a frozen block device concurrently, leading to improper error handling. Systems running affected Linux kernel versions with block device management features are impacted.
💻 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
System crash or kernel panic due to improper handling of filesystem state during concurrent mount/thaw operations, potentially leading to data corruption or denial of service.
Likely Case
Misleading kernel warnings in system logs and temporary system instability during concurrent block device operations, but no direct security compromise.
If Mitigated
Minor system logging issues with no security impact when proper kernel patches are applied.
🎯 Exploit Status
This appears to be a reliability/race condition fix rather than a traditional security vulnerability. Exploitation would require local access and specific timing conditions.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Kernel versions containing commits 25b1e3906e050d452427bc51620bb7f0a591373a and 2ae4db5647d807efb6a87c09efaa6d1db9c905d7
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/25b1e3906e050d452427bc51620bb7f0a591373a
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to version containing the fix commits. 2. Check your distribution's security advisories for specific kernel package updates. 3. Reboot system after kernel update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Avoid concurrent block device operations
linuxPrevent concurrent mount/thaw operations on the same block device
Monitor and manage device mapper operations
linuxEnsure proper sequencing of dm_suspend/dm_resume operations
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict access controls to block device management operations
- Monitor system logs for related warnings and investigate any instability during device operations
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check kernel version and compare with distribution's patched kernel versions. Examine if system uses device mapper or similar block device management.Check Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel version includes the fix commits. Check system logs for absence of related thaw operation warnings.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel warnings related to thaw operations, filesystem mounting errors during concurrent operations
SIEM Query:
Search for kernel logs containing 'thaw', 'freeze', or filesystem mounting errors with concurrent process indicators