CVE-2024-26603
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Description
A flaw was found in the Linux kernel's x86/fpu module, which revolves around an issue with relying on user space for critical information regarding the xsave buffer. In the affected scenario, the expected size of the user space buffer is derived from user-controlled data, specifically, fx_sw->xstate_size. By manipulating this value, an attacker could construct a malicious sigreturn frame where the indicated size is smaller than required by valid bits in fx_sw->xfeatures. Furthermore, the attacker could unmap portions of the fpu buffer in the user space, rendering them inaccessible to xrstor.
This manipulation leads to a situation where xrstor repeatedly attempts to restore and access an unmapped area, causing a fault. However, the fault_in_readable function erroneously succeeds because the accessed region, buf + fx_sw->xstate_size, remains within the mapped area. Consequently, the system enters a perpetual loop as xrstor continually retries the operation.
Statement
This vulnerability, while technically significant due to its potential for exploitation, is classified as Low severity for several reasons. First, successful exploitation requires a precise set of conditions, including the ability to manipulate the fx_sw->xstate_size parameter, which may not always be feasible. Additionally, the exploit's impact is limited to a specific subsystem (x86/fpu) within the Linux kernel, thereby reducing its overall scope and potential for widespread harm. Moreover, the loop resulting from the fault condition does not result in a system compromise or escalation of privileges but rather leads to a denial-of-service situation, which can be mitigated through a system reboot or other administrative actions.
Mitigation
Mitigation for this issue is either not available or the currently available options don't meet the Red Hat Product Security criteria comprising ease of use and deployment, applicability to widespread installation base or stability.
Additional Information
- This content is not included.Bugzilla 2265833: kernel: x86/fpu: Stop relying on userspace for info to fault in xsave buffer that cause loop forever
- Content from cwe.mitre.org is not included.CWE-835: Loop with Unreachable Exit Condition ('Infinite Loop')
- FAQ: Frequently asked questions about CVE-2024-26603
- Offline Security Data data is available for integration with other systems. See Offline Security Data API to get started.
External References
Content from www.cve.org is not included.https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2024-26603
Content from nvd.nist.gov is not included.https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-26603
Affected Packages and Issued Red Hat Security Errata
| Products / Services | Components | State | Errata |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 | kernel | Not affected | |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 | kernel | Not affected | |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 | kernel-rt | Not affected | |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 | kernel | Fixed | RHSA-2024:3618 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 | kernel-rt | Fixed | RHSA-2024:3627 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 | kernel-rt | Affected | |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 | kernel | Fixed | This content is not included.RHSA-2024:9315 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9.4 Extended Update Support | kernel | Fixed | RHSA-2025:2490 |
Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) Score Details
Important note
CVSS scores for open source components depend on vendor-specific factors (e.g. version or build chain). Therefore, Red Hat's score and impact rating can be different from NVD and other vendors. Red Hat remains the authoritative CVE Naming Authorities (CNA) source for its products and services (see Red Hat classifications ).
| CVSS v3 Score Breakdown | Red Hat | NVD |
|---|---|---|
| CVSS v3 Base Score | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| Attack Vector | Local | Local |
| Attack Complexity | Low | Low |
| Privileges Required | Low | Low |
| User Interaction | None | None |
| Scope | Unchanged | Unchanged |
| Confidentiality Impact | None | None |
| Integrity Impact | None | None |
| Availability Impact | High | High |
CVSS v3 Vector
Red Hat CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
NVD CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Red Hat's CVSS v3 score or Impact different from other vendors?
For more information, see https://access.redhat.com/solutions/762393.
My product is listed as "Under investigation" or "Affected", when will Red Hat release a fix for this vulnerability?
- "Under investigation" doesn't necessarily mean that the product is affected by this vulnerability. It only means that our Analysis Team is still working on determining whether the product is affected and how it is affected.
- "Affected" means that our Analysis Team has determined that this product is affected by this vulnerability and might release a fix to address this in the near future.
What can I do if my product is listed as "Will not fix"?
Available options depend mostly on the Impact of the vulnerability and the current Life Cycle phase of your product. Overall, you have the following options:
- Upgrade to a supported product version that includes a fix for this vulnerability (recommended).
- Apply a mitigation (if one exists).
- Open a This content is not included.support case to request a prioritization of releasing a fix for this vulnerability.
What can I do if my product is listed as "Fix deferred"?
Available options depend mostly on the Impact of the vulnerability and the current Life Cycle phase of your product. Overall, you have the following options:
- Apply a mitigation (if one exists).
- Open a This content is not included.support case to request a prioritization of releasing a fix for this vulnerability.
- Red Hat Engineering focuses on addressing high-priority issues based on their complexity or limited lifecycle support. Therefore, lower-priority issues will not receive immediate fixes.
What is a mitigation?
I have a Red Hat product but it is not in the above list, is it affected?
Why is my security scanner reporting my product as vulnerable to this vulnerability even though my product version is fixed or not affected?
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