CVE-2024-50259
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a missing null terminator vulnerability in the Linux kernel's netdevsim driver. When exploited, it could lead to kernel memory corruption or information disclosure. Systems running affected Linux kernel versions with netdevsim module loaded 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 →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, system crash, or potential privilege escalation if memory corruption leads to arbitrary code execution in kernel context.
Likely Case
Kernel crash or system instability due to memory corruption when processing malformed input to the netdevsim driver.
If Mitigated
Minimal impact if netdevsim module is not loaded or access to the vulnerable function is restricted.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires ability to write to the vulnerable netdevsim interface, typically needing local access or specific permissions.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Check git commits for specific kernel versions containing fixes
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/27bd7a742e171362c9eb52ad5d1d71d3321f949f
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to patched version from your distribution vendor. 2. Reboot system to load new kernel. 3. Verify netdevsim module is not needed in production and consider blacklisting if unused.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable netdevsim module
linuxPrevent loading of the vulnerable netdevsim kernel module
echo 'blacklist netdevsim' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist-netdevsim.conf
rmmod netdevsim
Restrict access to sysfs interface
linuxLimit permissions to the vulnerable sysfs entry
chmod 600 /sys/devices/virtual/net/nsim*/nexthop_bucket_activity
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Ensure netdevsim module is not loaded in production systems
- Restrict local user access and implement strict privilege separation
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if netdevsim module is loaded: lsmod | grep netdevsimCheck Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Check kernel version is patched: uname -r and verify against distribution security advisories📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel oops messages
- System crash/panic logs
- Unexpected netdevsim module activity
Network Indicators:
- Not applicable - local vulnerability
SIEM Query:
source="kernel" AND ("netdevsim" OR "nsim" OR "kernel panic")🔗 References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/27bd7a742e171362c9eb52ad5d1d71d3321f949f
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/4ce1f56a1eaced2523329bef800d004e30f2f76c
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/6a604877160fe5ab2e1985d5ce1ba6a61abe0693
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/bcba86e03b3aac361ea671672cf48eed11f9011c
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/c2150f666c6fc301d5d1643ed0f92251f1a0ff0d
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2025/01/msg00001.html
