CVE-2024-53111
📋 TL;DR
A 32-bit integer overflow vulnerability in the Linux kernel's mremap() function can cause data loss when moving memory regions. If userspace attempts to remap large private anonymous memory regions, the function may incorrectly bail out without restoring page table entries, resulting in the original memory contents appearing zeroed. This affects 32-bit Linux systems where userspace applications use mremap() with large memory regions.
💻 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 →⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Critical applications could lose important in-memory data, potentially causing data corruption, application crashes, or service disruption when mremap() operations fail.
Likely Case
Applications using mremap() on 32-bit systems may experience unexpected data loss in memory regions, leading to application errors or crashes.
If Mitigated
With proper kernel patching, the vulnerability is eliminated; without patching, risk is limited to 32-bit systems and specific mremap() usage patterns.
🎯 Exploit Status
The provided test code demonstrates the vulnerability, but exploitation requires specific conditions: 32-bit system, large memory regions, and mremap() usage. This appears to be a reliability/data integrity issue rather than a privilege escalation vulnerability.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Kernel versions containing commits 909543dc279a91122fb08e4653a72b82f0ad28f4 or a4a282daf1a190f03790bf163458ea3c8d28d217
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/909543dc279a91122fb08e4653a72b82f0ad28f4
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to version containing the fix commits. 2. For distributions: Use package manager (apt/yum/dnf) to update kernel package. 3. Reboot system to load new kernel.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Avoid large mremap operations
linuxModify applications to avoid using mremap() with memory regions large enough to trigger the integer overflow on 32-bit systems.
Migrate to 64-bit systems
linuxUse 64-bit Linux systems which are not affected by this vulnerability.
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Monitor for application crashes or unexpected behavior related to memory operations
- Implement application-level data validation and backup mechanisms for critical in-memory data
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Run the test program from the CVE description on a 32-bit system; if mremap fails and memory appears zeroed, system is vulnerable.Check Version:
uname -r (check if kernel version includes fix commits)Verify Fix Applied:
After patching, run the same test program; mremap should succeed and preserve memory contents.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel logs showing mremap failures
- Application logs showing unexpected memory corruption or data loss
SIEM Query:
Search for: 'mremap failed' OR 'memory corruption' in application/system logs on 32-bit Linux systems