Critical Vulnerability in Linux Package: Netlink False Positive Warning
Summary
DEBIAN-CVE-2024-53212: In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: netlink: fix false positive warning in extack during dumps Commit under fixes extended extack reporting to dumps. Affects linux versions < 6.12.3-1. Fixed in 6.12.3-1. 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 package is a core component of the Debian operating system, providing essential functionalities for managing system resources and hardware interactions. It serves as the foundation for various applications and services, ensuring efficient communication between the kernel and user-space processes. This vulnerability specifically affects the netlink subsystem, which is responsible for inter-process communication in Linux, highlighting the importance of maintaining its integrity for system stability and security.
Vulnerability Detail
In the Linux kernel, a vulnerability has been identified in the netlink subsystem that can lead to a false positive warning during data dumps. This issue arises when the dump process starts correctly but fails later due to a filled receive queue. The input socket buffer (skb) will have the initiating message pulled, causing checks for bad attributes to fail. This vulnerability was discovered by syzbot, which exploited the scenario by filling the receive queue, potentially leading to unexpected behavior and system instability.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
6.12.3-1
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. It is recommended to apply the patch as soon as it is available to mitigate any potential risks.
Conclusion
The identified vulnerability in the Linux package's netlink subsystem poses a risk of false positive warnings during data dumps, potentially leading to system instability. Users are advised to update to the patched version 6.12.3-1 to mitigate this risk. Regular monitoring and timely updates are essential for maintaining system security.
See every vulnerability recorded for linux →
FAQ
The vulnerability involves a false positive warning in the netlink subsystem during data dumps, which can lead to system instability.
You can use the Vulert platform to monitor and alert for open-source vulnerabilities in your software. Visit Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected.
If exploited, this vulnerability could lead to unexpected behavior in applications relying on netlink communication, potentially affecting system stability and performance.
Yes, a patch is available in version 6.12.3-1 of the Linux package. Users should update to this version to mitigate the vulnerability.
While there are no specific workarounds, it is crucial to plan for an update as soon as possible to ensure system security.
References
Related vulnerabilities
Recent vulnerabilities recorded for linux.
