Linux: NULL Pointer Dereference
CVE-2024-38573 is a high-severity NULL pointer dereference vulnerability in Linux, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.5 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. The record lists versions 9a185cc5a79ba408e1c73375706630662304f618, 769c4f355b7962895205b86ad35617873feef9a5, f84b9b25d045e67a7eee5e73f21278c8ab06713c as the first without the flaw, so updating Linux to one of those releases or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 1% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 63% of scored CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update Linux to 9a185cc5a79ba408e1c73375706630662304f618 or 769c4f355b7962895205b86ad35617873feef9a5 or f84b9b25d045e67a7eee5e73f21278c8ab06713c or b18daa4ec727c0266de5bfc78e818d168cc4aedf, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Update linux_kernel to 9a185cc5a79b or 769c4f355b79 or f84b9b25d045 or b18daa4ec727, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Update acrn to cf7de25878a1 or a later version.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Linux | Linux | a28b2bfc099c6b9caa6ef697660408e076a32019 up to, but not including, 9a185cc5a79ba408e1c73375706630662304f618; a28b2bfc099c6b9caa6ef697660408e076a32019 up to, but not including, 769c4f355b7962895205b86ad35617873feef9a5; a28b2bfc099c6b9caa6ef697660408e076a32019 up to, but not including, f84b9b25d045e67a7eee5e73f21278c8ab06713c; a28b2bfc099c6b9caa6ef697660408e076a32019 up to, but not including, b18daa4ec727c0266de5bfc78e818d168cc4aedf; a28b2bfc099c6b9caa6ef697660408e076a32019 up to, but not including, dfec15222529d22b15e5b0d63572a9e39570cab4; a28b2bfc099c6b9caa6ef697660408e076a32019 up to, but not including, cf7de25878a1f4508c69dc9f6819c21ba177dbfe; 5.11 | 9a185cc5a79ba408e1c73375706630662304f618, 769c4f355b7962895205b86ad35617873feef9a5, f84b9b25d045e67a7eee5e73f21278c8ab06713c, b18daa4ec727c0266de5bfc78e818d168cc4aedf, dfec15222529d22b15e5b0d63572a9e39570cab4, cf7de25878a1f4508c69dc9f6819c21ba177dbfe |
| Linux | linux_kernel | a28b2bfc099c up to, but not including, 9a185cc5a79b; a28b2bfc099c up to, but not including, 769c4f355b79; a28b2bfc099c up to, but not including, f84b9b25d045; a28b2bfc099c up to, but not including, b18daa4ec727; a28b2bfc099c up to, but not including, dfec15222529; 5.11 | 9a185cc5a79b, 769c4f355b79, f84b9b25d045, b18daa4ec727, dfec15222529 |
| Linux | acrn | a28b2bfc099c up to, but not including, cf7de25878a1 | cf7de25878a1 |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- NoneNo data is disclosed.
- Integrity
- NoneNothing can be modified.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H. Scored by CISA (ADP).
Official description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: cppc_cpufreq: Fix possible null pointer dereference cppc_cpufreq_get_rate() and hisi_cppc_cpufreq_get_rate() can be called from different places with various parameters. So cpufreq_cpu_get() can return null as 'policy' in some circumstances. Fix this bug by adding null return check. Found by Linux Verification Center (linuxtesting.org) with SVACE.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: NULL Pointer Dereference
The product dereferences a pointer that it expects to be valid but is NULL.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- For any pointers that could have been modified or provided from a function that can return NULL, check the pointer for NULL before use. When working with a multithreaded or otherwise asynchronous environment, ensure that proper locking APIs are used to lock before the check, and unlock when it has finished.
- Select a programming language that is not susceptible to these issues.
- Check the results of all functions that return a value and verify that the value is non-null before acting upon it.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: yes, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Patches and release notes
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/769c4f355b7962895205b86ad35617873feef9a5
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/9a185cc5a79ba408e1c73375706630662304f618
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/b18daa4ec727c0266de5bfc78e818d168cc4aedf
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/cf7de25878a1f4508c69dc9f6819c21ba177dbfe
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/dfec15222529d22b15e5b0d63572a9e39570cab4
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/f84b9b25d045e67a7eee5e73f21278c8ab06713c
Recent NULL Pointer Dereference vulnerabilities
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
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