CVE-2024-42236
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes an out-of-bounds (OOB) read/write vulnerability in the Linux kernel's USB gadget configfs subsystem. Attackers can trigger memory corruption by providing zero-length strings to the usb_string_copy() function, potentially leading to kernel crashes or privilege escalation. Systems using USB gadget functionality in affected Linux kernel versions are vulnerable.
💻 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
Kernel panic leading to system crash, or local privilege escalation to root if memory corruption can be controlled to execute arbitrary code.
Likely Case
Kernel crash/panic causing denial of service, requiring system reboot.
If Mitigated
Minimal impact if proper input validation is implemented or vulnerable functionality is disabled.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires local access to trigger the vulnerable function. Exploitation depends on controlling memory layout and corruption effects.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Kernel versions containing commits: 2d16f63d8030903e5031853e79d731ee5d474e70, 6d3c721e686ea6c59e18289b400cc95c76e927e0, 72b8ee0d9826e8ed00e0bdfce3e46b98419b37ce, a444c3fc264119801575ab086e03fb4952f23fd0, c95fbdde87e39e5e0ae27f28bf6711edfb985caa
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/2d16f63d8030903e5031853e79d731ee5d474e70
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to patched version from your distribution's repositories. 2. Reboot system to load new kernel. 3. Verify kernel version after reboot.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable USB gadget configfs
linuxDisable the vulnerable USB configfs functionality if not required.
modprobe -r usb_f_configfs
modprobe -r usb_f_acm
modprobe -r usb_f_mass_storage
echo 'blacklist usb_f_configfs' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict local user access to systems with USB gadget functionality
- Implement strict access controls and monitoring for USB gadget interfaces
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check kernel version and if USB configfs modules are loaded: 'lsmod | grep usb_f_configfs' and 'uname -r'Check Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel version is updated to include the fix commits, and test USB gadget functionality if required.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel panic logs
- OOPs messages in /var/log/kern.log or dmesg
- USB gadget related crash reports
Network Indicators:
- None - this is a local vulnerability
SIEM Query:
Search for kernel panic events or USB subsystem crashes in system logs🔗 References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/2d16f63d8030903e5031853e79d731ee5d474e70
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/6d3c721e686ea6c59e18289b400cc95c76e927e0
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/72b8ee0d9826e8ed00e0bdfce3e46b98419b37ce
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/a444c3fc264119801575ab086e03fb4952f23fd0
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/c95fbdde87e39e5e0ae27f28bf6711edfb985caa
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/d1205033e912f9332c1dbefa812e6ceb0575ce0a
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e8474a10c535e6a2024c3b06e37e4a3a23beb490
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/eecfefad0953b2f31aaefa058f7f348ff39c4bba
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2025/01/msg00001.html
