CVE-2024-46836 – This CVE is an out-of-bounds array access vulne... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2024-46836?

CVE-2024-46836 has a CVSS score of 7.8 (HIGH). This CVE is an out-of-bounds array access vulnerability in the Aspeed USB Device Controller (UDC) driver in the Linux kernel. An attacker could manipulate USB endpoint indices to read or write beyond the endpoint array bounds, potentially leading to kernel memory corruption. Systems using the aspeed_udc driver are affected.

📋 TL;DR

This CVE is an out-of-bounds array access vulnerability in the Aspeed USB Device Controller (UDC) driver in the Linux kernel. An attacker could manipulate USB endpoint indices to read or write beyond the endpoint array bounds, potentially leading to kernel memory corruption. Systems using the aspeed_udc driver are affected.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Linux kernel with aspeed_udc driver

Versions: Linux kernel versions before the fix commits (specific versions vary by distribution)

Operating Systems: Linux distributions using vulnerable kernel versions

Default Config Vulnerable: ✅ No

Notes: Only vulnerable if the aspeed_udc driver is loaded (typically on Aspeed-based systems like BMCs). Most general-purpose Linux systems are not affected.

📦 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...

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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, denial of service, or potential arbitrary code execution with kernel privileges leading to full system compromise.

🟠

Likely Case

Kernel crash or system instability causing denial of service.

🟢

If Mitigated

No impact if the vulnerable driver is not loaded or the system is patched.

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW - Requires physical or local USB device access, not directly exploitable over network.

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Could be exploited by malicious USB devices connected internally or by users with physical access.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: MEDIUM

Exploitation requires ability to connect a malicious USB device or manipulate USB communications. Found via static analysis, not known to be actively exploited.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Fixed in kernel commits 31bd4fab49c0adc6228848357c1b1df9395858af and related backports

Vendor Advisory: https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2025/01/msg00001.html

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Update Linux kernel to patched version from your distribution. 2. For Debian LTS: apt update && apt upgrade linux-image-*. 3. Reboot system to load new kernel.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable aspeed_udc driver

linux

Prevent loading of vulnerable driver module

echo 'blacklist aspeed_udc' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf
rmmod aspeed_udc

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Restrict physical USB device access to trusted personnel only
Implement USB device control policies to prevent unauthorized USB connections

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check if aspeed_udc module is loaded: lsmod | grep aspeed_udc. If loaded and kernel version is unpatched, system is vulnerable.

Check Version:

uname -r

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify kernel version includes fix commit: grep -q '31bd4fab49c0adc6228848357c1b1df9395858af' /proc/version || echo 'Check distribution patch notes'

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Kernel oops or panic messages related to aspeed_udc in /var/log/kern.log
USB error messages involving endpoint indices

Network Indicators:

Not network exploitable

SIEM Query:

source="kern.log" AND "aspeed_udc" AND ("panic" OR "Oops" OR "general protection fault")

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2024-46836

CVSS v3 Score: 7.8 (HIGH)

CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CWE: CWE-129

Published: September 27, 2024

Last Updated: November 3, 2025

🔗 References

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🔗 Related Vulnerabilities

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