CVE-2024-53197 – This vulnerability in the Linux kernel's ALSA U... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2024-53197?

CVE-2024-53197 has a CVSS score of 7.8 (HIGH). This vulnerability in the Linux kernel's ALSA USB audio subsystem allows a malicious USB device to trigger out-of-bounds memory accesses. Attackers could potentially crash the system or execute arbitrary code by connecting a specially crafted USB audio device. All Linux systems using affected kernel versions with USB audio support are vulnerable.

📋 TL;DR

This vulnerability in the Linux kernel's ALSA USB audio subsystem allows a malicious USB device to trigger out-of-bounds memory accesses. Attackers could potentially crash the system or execute arbitrary code by connecting a specially crafted USB audio device. All Linux systems using affected kernel versions with USB audio support are vulnerable.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Linux kernel

Versions: Specific affected kernel versions not specified in CVE; check kernel commit history for exact ranges

Operating Systems: Linux distributions using vulnerable kernel versions

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Requires USB audio subsystem support and connection of malicious USB audio device. Extigy and Mbox USB audio devices mentioned but vulnerability affects broader USB audio handling.

📦 What is this software?

Debian Linux by Debian

View all CVEs affecting Debian Linux →

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 →

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 arbitrary code execution with kernel privileges leading to complete system compromise.

🟠

Likely Case

System crash or kernel panic when a malicious USB audio device is connected, causing denial of service.

🟢

If Mitigated

System remains stable as the vulnerability is patched before malicious devices can be connected.

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW - This requires physical USB device connection or USB-over-IP with specific hardware access.

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Malicious insiders or compromised USB devices could exploit this on internal systems.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ⚠️ Yes

Complexity: MEDIUM

Exploitation requires physical access or USB-over-IP capability with a specially crafted USB audio device. No public exploit code identified.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Kernel versions containing commits: 0b4ea4bfe16566b84645ded1403756a2dc4e0f19, 379d3b9799d9da953391e973b934764f01e03960, 62dc01c83fa71e10446ee4c31e0e3d5d1291e865, 920a369a9f014f10ec282fd298d0666129379f1b, 9887d859cd60727432a01564e8f91302d361b72b

Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0b4ea4bfe16566b84645ded1403756a2dc4e0f19

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Update Linux kernel to patched version from your distribution's repositories. 2. Reboot system to load new kernel. 3. Verify kernel version after reboot.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable USB audio module

linux

Prevent loading of the vulnerable USB audio driver module

echo 'blacklist snd-usb-audio' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist-usb-audio.conf
update-initramfs -u
reboot

Restrict USB device connections

linux

Use USBGuard or similar to control which USB devices can connect

apt-get install usbguard
usbguard generate-policy > /etc/usbguard/rules.conf
systemctl enable --now usbguard

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Implement strict physical security controls to prevent unauthorized USB device connections
Disable USB ports in BIOS/UEFI or use USB port blockers on critical systems

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check kernel version and compare with patched versions from kernel git commits. Vulnerable if using unpatched kernel with USB audio support.

Check Version:

uname -r

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify kernel version includes the fix commits and test with USB audio device functionality.

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Kernel panic logs
USB device connection errors in dmesg
ALSA subsystem crashes

Network Indicators:

USB-over-IP connections to audio devices

SIEM Query:

source="kernel" AND ("panic" OR "Oops" OR "general protection fault") AND ("usb" OR "audio" OR "ALSA")

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2024-53197

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-787

Published: December 27, 2024

Last Updated: November 4, 2025

🔗 References

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🔗 Related Vulnerabilities

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