CVE-2024-43875
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a NULL pointer dereference vulnerability in the Linux kernel's PCI endpoint subsystem. The flaw occurs in the vpci_scan_bus() function where improper error handling could lead to kernel crashes. Systems using PCI endpoint functionality with affected 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 →⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Kernel panic leading to system crash and denial of service, potentially causing data loss or service disruption.
Likely Case
System crash or instability when PCI endpoint operations encounter specific error conditions.
If Mitigated
Minor performance impact from proper error handling with no security compromise.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires local access and specific conditions to trigger the NULL pointer dereference.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Kernel versions with commit 0e27e2e8697b8ce96cdef43f135426525d9d1f8f or later
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0e27e2e8697b8ce96cdef43f135426525d9d1f8f
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to patched version. 2. Reboot system. 3. Verify kernel version matches patched release.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable PCI endpoint functionality
linuxRemove or disable PCI endpoint modules if not required
modprobe -r pci-epf-vntb
echo 'blacklist pci-epf-vntb' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict access to systems using PCI endpoint functionality
- Implement monitoring for kernel crashes related to PCI operations
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check kernel version and verify if PCI endpoint modules are loaded: lsmod | grep pci-epfCheck Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel version includes the fix commit: uname -r and check git log for commit 0e27e2e8697b8ce96cdef43f135426525d9d1f8f📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel panic messages
- NULL pointer dereference errors in dmesg
- PCI endpoint related crash reports
Network Indicators:
- None - local vulnerability only
SIEM Query:
source="kernel" AND ("NULL pointer" OR "kernel panic" OR "pci-epf")🔗 References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0e27e2e8697b8ce96cdef43f135426525d9d1f8f
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/24414c842a24d0fd498f9db6d2a762a8dddf1832
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/7d368de78b60088ec9031c60c88976c0063ea4c0
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/8e0f5a96c534f781e8c57ca30459448b3bfe5429
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/b9e8695246bcfc028341470cbf92630cdc1ba36b
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2025/01/msg00001.html
