CVE-2024-54456
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a buffer overflow vulnerability in the Linux kernel's NFS subsystem. The vulnerability occurs in the nfs_sysfs_link_rpc_client() function where improper string handling could allow writing beyond allocated memory bounds. Systems running vulnerable Linux kernel versions with NFS functionality are affected.
💻 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 →⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Local privilege escalation to kernel-level access, potentially leading to full system compromise, data corruption, or denial of service.
Likely Case
Kernel panic or system crash resulting in denial of service, with potential for limited information disclosure.
If Mitigated
Minimal impact if proper kernel hardening and access controls are implemented, likely resulting in failed exploitation attempts.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires local access and knowledge of kernel memory layout. No public exploits are known at this time.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Kernel versions containing commits: 19b3ca651b4b473878c73539febe477905041442, 49fd4e34751e90e6df009b70cd0659dc839e7ca8, dd8830779b77f4d1206d28d02ad56a03fc0e78f7, e8e0eb5601d4a6c74c336e3710afe3a0348c469d
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/19b3ca651b4b473878c73539febe477905041442
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 NFS functionality
allRemove or disable NFS kernel modules and services if not required
sudo systemctl stop nfs-server
sudo systemctl disable nfs-server
sudo rmmod nfs
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict access controls to limit local user access to NFS-related operations
- Enable kernel hardening features like KASLR and stack protection to make exploitation more difficult
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check kernel version and compare with distribution's security advisories. Examine if NFS modules are loaded: lsmod | grep nfsCheck Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel version after update matches patched version. Check that NFS functionality still works properly.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel oops messages
- System crashes or panics related to NFS operations
- Unexpected kernel module loading
Network Indicators:
- None - this is a local vulnerability
SIEM Query:
Search for kernel panic events or NFS-related error messages in system logs