CVE-2024-50033
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability in the Linux kernel's SLIP (Serial Line Internet Protocol) compression handler allows attackers to trigger uninitialized memory access by sending malicious packets. It affects systems using SLIP/PPP protocols, potentially leading to kernel memory corruption or information disclosure. The issue was discovered through fuzzing and affects Linux kernel versions before the fix.
💻 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, denial of service, or potential information disclosure through uninitialized memory access leading to system instability.
Likely Case
Denial of service through kernel crash or system instability when processing malicious SLIP/PPP packets.
If Mitigated
Minimal impact if SLIP/PPP protocols are not in use or proper network segmentation is implemented.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires sending specially crafted packets to SLIP/PPP interfaces. Found through syzkaller fuzzing, no public exploits known.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Fixed in kernel commits: 29e8d96d44f51cf89a62dd042be35d052833b95c, 36b054324d18e51cf466134e13b6fbe3c91f52af, 5e336384cc9b608e0551f99c3d87316ca3b0e51a, 7d3fce8cbe3a70a1c7c06c9b53696be5d5d8dd5c, 8bb79eb1db85a10865f0d4dd15b013def3f2d246
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/29e8d96d44f51cf89a62dd042be35d052833b95c
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to version containing the fix commits. 2. Check your distribution's security advisories for patched kernel packages. 3. Reboot system after kernel update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable SLIP/PPP modules
linuxPrevent loading of vulnerable kernel modules if not needed
echo 'install slip /bin/false' >> /etc/modprobe.d/disable-slip.conf
echo 'install slhc /bin/false' >> /etc/modprobe.d/disable-slhc.conf
update-initramfs -u
Network filtering
allBlock SLIP/PPP traffic at network boundaries
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Disable SLIP and PPP protocols if not required for system functionality
- Implement network segmentation to isolate systems using SLIP/PPP from untrusted networks
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if SLIP/PPP modules are loaded: lsmod | grep -E '^(slip|slhc|ppp)'Check Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Check kernel version contains fix commits: uname -r and verify with distribution security advisories📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel panic messages
- SLIP/PPP error messages in dmesg
- System crashes when processing network traffic
Network Indicators:
- Unusual SLIP/PPP traffic patterns
- Malformed packet attempts on SLIP/PPP ports
SIEM Query:
source="kernel" AND ("slip" OR "slhc" OR "ppp") AND ("panic" OR "BUG" OR "uninit")🔗 References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/29e8d96d44f51cf89a62dd042be35d052833b95c
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/36b054324d18e51cf466134e13b6fbe3c91f52af
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/5e336384cc9b608e0551f99c3d87316ca3b0e51a
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/7d3fce8cbe3a70a1c7c06c9b53696be5d5d8dd5c
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/8bb79eb1db85a10865f0d4dd15b013def3f2d246
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/ba6501ea06462d6404d57d5644cf2854db38e7d7
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/ff5e0f895315706e4ca5a19df15be6866cee4f5d
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2025/01/msg00001.html
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2025/03/msg00002.html
