CVE-2024-42248
📋 TL;DR
This CVE addresses a NULL pointer dereference vulnerability in the Linux kernel's ma35d1 serial driver. If exploited, it could cause a kernel panic or system crash when the 'serial' device tree node is absent. Systems using Linux kernels with the vulnerable ma35d1 serial driver are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Linux kernel with ma35d1 serial driver
📦 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 →⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Kernel panic leading to system crash and denial of service, potentially requiring physical access to reboot the system.
Likely Case
System crash or kernel panic when accessing the serial interface with missing device tree configuration.
If Mitigated
No impact if the vulnerable driver is not loaded or the system doesn't use ma35d1 serial hardware.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires local access and ability to trigger the vulnerable code path through device tree manipulation or driver interaction.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Linux kernel versions containing commits 0e0e15ab2d3a094a38525d23c03d78ec7d14a40e, 23efa74cfe6eb923abb5b9bc51b2a04879013c67, or acd09ac253b5de8fd79fc61a482ee19154914c7a
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0e0e15ab2d3a094a38525d23c03d78ec7d14a40e
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update to a patched Linux kernel version from your distribution vendor. 2. Reboot the system to load the new kernel. 3. Verify the fix is applied by checking kernel version or driver behavior.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable ma35d1 serial driver
linuxPrevent loading of the vulnerable driver module
echo 'blacklist ma35d1_serial' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist-ma35d1.conf
rmmod ma35d1_serial
Build kernel without ma35d1 driver
linuxCompile kernel without the vulnerable driver support
In kernel config: CONFIG_SERIAL_MA35D1=n
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict local access to prevent unauthorized users from interacting with serial interfaces
- Implement strict device tree validation and monitoring for configuration changes
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if ma35d1_serial driver is loaded: lsmod | grep ma35d1_serialCheck Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Check kernel version includes fix commits or test with a device tree configuration missing the serial node📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel panic messages related to NULL pointer dereference in ma35d1 driver
- System crash/reboot events without clear cause
Network Indicators:
- No network indicators - this is a local vulnerability
SIEM Query:
source="kernel" AND ("NULL pointer" OR "kernel panic") AND "ma35d1"