Critical Vulnerability in Linux Kernel: Memory Access After Free in Thermal Zone Management
Summary
DEBIAN-CVE-2024-50027: In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: thermal: core: Free tzp copy along with the thermal zone The object pointed to by tz->tzp may still be accessed after being freed in thermal_zone_device... Affects linux versions < 6.11.4-1. Fixed in 6.11.4-1. How to fix ↓
Check if this vulnerability affects your application
Upload a manifest or SBOM and we'll show whether you're affected, plus every other risky package in the same scan.
No signup required · Results in about 60 seconds
Background
The Linux kernel is the core component of many operating systems, responsible for managing hardware resources and providing essential services to software applications. It is known for its stability, performance, and security features. However, like any complex software, it can be susceptible to vulnerabilities. This specific issue affects the thermal management subsystem, which is crucial for maintaining optimal operating temperatures in devices, preventing overheating and ensuring system reliability.
Vulnerability Detail
In the Linux kernel, a vulnerability has been identified in the thermal management subsystem. The issue arises from improper handling of memory associated with thermal zones. Specifically, the object pointed to by 'tz->tzp' may still be accessed after it has been freed in the 'thermal_zone_device_unregister()' function. This can lead to undefined behavior, including potential system crashes or exploitation by malicious actors to execute arbitrary code. The vulnerability has been assigned the identifier DEBIAN-CVE-2024-50027 and affects versions prior to 6.11.4-1.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
6.11.4-1
This is the first release that contains the fix.
sudo apt-get install --only-upgrade linuxTip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
Currently, there are no specific workarounds mentioned for this vulnerability. The best course of action is to apply the patch as soon as it becomes available.
Conclusion
The vulnerability identified as DEBIAN-CVE-2024-50027 poses a significant risk to systems running affected versions of the Linux kernel. It is essential to update to the patched version 6.11.4-1 to protect against potential exploitation. Users are encouraged to monitor their systems for vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert.
See every vulnerability recorded for linux →
FAQ
DEBIAN-CVE-2024-50027 is the identifier for a critical vulnerability in the Linux kernel related to improper memory management in the thermal subsystem.
This vulnerability can lead to memory access issues, potentially allowing attackers to exploit the system for unauthorized actions or causing system instability.
If you are running a version of the Linux kernel prior to 6.11.4-1, your system may be vulnerable. You can check your version using the command 'uname -r'.
You can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time using just a manifest file like package-lock.json. You can also check your application against this vulnerability using the Vulert playground without any signup.
While there are no specific workarounds, it is crucial to prioritize updating your kernel to mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability.
References
Related vulnerabilities
Recent vulnerabilities recorded for linux.
