CVE-2024-50207
📋 TL;DR
A race condition vulnerability in the Linux kernel's ring buffer subsystem allows concurrent modification of critical data structures while readers are accessing them. This can lead to memory corruption, crashes, or potential privilege escalation. All Linux systems using 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, potential privilege escalation to kernel mode, or denial of service affecting all running processes.
Likely Case
System instability, kernel crashes, or application failures due to memory corruption when ring buffer operations are performed concurrently.
If Mitigated
Minimal impact if systems don't use ring buffer sub-buffer order changes or have limited concurrent access patterns.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires local access and ability to trigger ring_buffer_subbuf_order_set() while readers are active.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Patches available in stable kernel branches via provided git commits
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/09661f75e75cb6c1d2d8326a70c311d46729235f
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to patched version from your distribution. 2. Apply kernel patches 09661f75e75cb6c1d2d8326a70c311d46729235f or a569290525a05162d5dd26d9845591eaf46e5802. 3. Reboot system to load new kernel.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable ring buffer sub-buffer order changes
linuxPrevent triggering of vulnerable code path by avoiding calls to ring_buffer_subbuf_order_set()
No direct command - requires modifying application code to avoid this function
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict local user access to minimize potential exploitation vectors
- Monitor system logs for kernel panics or instability related to ring buffer operations
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check kernel version and compare with patched versions from your distribution. Vulnerable if using unpatched kernel with ring buffer functionality.Check Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel version includes the fix commits: 09661f75e75cb6c1d2d8326a70c311d46729235f or a569290525a05162d5dd26d9845591eaf46e5802📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel panic messages
- System crash logs
- Ring buffer related error messages in dmesg
Network Indicators:
- None - local vulnerability only
SIEM Query:
Search for kernel panic events or system crash reports in system logs