CVE-2024-43890
📋 TL;DR
A Linux kernel vulnerability in the tracing subsystem allows integer overflow in get_free_elt(), potentially causing CPU hangs. This affects systems using kernel tracing features and could lead to denial of service. All Linux systems with vulnerable kernel versions are affected.
💻 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 →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
CPU hangs with preemption disabled, causing complete system unresponsiveness and requiring hard reboot.
Likely Case
Denial of service on systems actively using kernel tracing features, potentially crashing affected processes.
If Mitigated
Minimal impact if tracing features are disabled or not in use.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires ability to trigger kernel tracing operations, typically needs appropriate permissions.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Multiple stable kernel versions with fixes available (see references)
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/236bb4690773ab6869b40bedc7bc8d889e36f9d6
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to patched version from your distribution. 2. Reboot system to load new kernel. 3. Verify kernel version after reboot.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable kernel tracing
linuxDisable CONFIG_TRACING kernel configuration to prevent exploitation
echo 0 > /sys/kernel/debug/tracing/tracing_on
echo 0 > /sys/kernel/debug/tracing/events/enable
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict access to kernel tracing interfaces to privileged users only
- Monitor system for unexpected CPU hangs or tracing subsystem anomalies
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check kernel version and verify if tracing subsystem is enabled and in useCheck Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel version is updated to patched version and system remains stable during tracing operations📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel panic messages
- CPU hang detection in system logs
- Tracing subsystem errors
Network Indicators:
- None - local vulnerability only
SIEM Query:
search for kernel panic or hung CPU alerts in system logs🔗 References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/236bb4690773ab6869b40bedc7bc8d889e36f9d6
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/302ceb625d7b990db205a15e371f9a71238de91c
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/788ea62499b3c18541fd6d621964d8fafbc4aec5
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/a172c7b22bc2feaf489cfc6d6865f7237134fdf8
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/bcf86c01ca4676316557dd482c8416ece8c2e143
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/cd10d186a5409a1fe6e976df82858e9773a698da
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/d3e4dbc2858fe85d1dbd2e72a9fc5dea988b5c18
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/eb223bf01e688dfe37e813c8988ee11c8c9f8d0a
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2024/10/msg00003.html
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2025/01/msg00001.html
