Critical Vulnerability in Linux Kernel: RDMA/bnxt_re Max SGEs Issue
Summary
DEBIAN-CVE-2024-57936: In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: RDMA/bnxt_re: Fix max SGEs for the Work Request Gen P7 supports up to 13 SGEs for now. Affects linux versions < 6.12.9-1. Fixed in 6.12.9-1. 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
Habilume
Habit tracker with a companion that grows with you
Complete habits, earn Lume Points, and watch your Lume grow as you stay consistent.
Background
The Linux kernel is the core component of many operating systems, providing essential services for hardware management and system resources. It is widely used in various distributions, including Debian. The kernel is responsible for managing system calls, memory, and processes, making it a critical component for system stability and performance. This vulnerability affects the RDMA (Remote Direct Memory Access) subsystem, specifically within the bnxt_re driver, which is responsible for managing RDMA operations for certain network devices.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability arises from a mismatch between the maximum number of Scatter-Gather Entries (SGEs) supported by the hardware and the number that the software structure can handle. The Gen P7 hardware supports up to 13 SGEs, but the Work Queue Element (WQE) software structure can only accommodate 6 SGEs. This discrepancy can lead to traffic failures and system crashes when the stack attempts to process requests with more SGEs than the software can handle. The issue is critical as it can affect system stability and performance, potentially leading to denial of service.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
6.12.9-1
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 by updating the kernel to the fixed version.
Conclusion
The RDMA/bnxt_re vulnerability in the Linux kernel poses significant risks to system stability and performance. Users are strongly advised to update their kernel to the patched version 6.12.9-1 to mitigate these risks. Regular monitoring for vulnerabilities using tools like Vulert can help maintain system security.
See every vulnerability recorded for linux →
FAQ
The vulnerability can lead to traffic failures and system crashes, affecting the stability and performance of systems using the affected Linux kernel versions.
You can use the Vulert platform to monitor and alert for open-source vulnerabilities in your software. By uploading your manifest file, you can check for vulnerabilities without needing to access the code directly.
The vulnerability affects Linux kernel versions prior to 6.12.9-1 in Debian 13 and 14.
While the primary risk is system crashes and instability, there is a potential risk of data loss during unexpected crashes.
Detailed information can be found in the Debian CVE database and on security advisory pages related to the Linux kernel.
References
Related vulnerabilities
Recent vulnerabilities recorded for linux.
Habilume
Habit tracker with a companion that grows with you
Complete habits, earn Lume Points, and watch your Lume grow as you stay consistent.
