CVE-2024-38538: net: bridge: xmit: make sure we have at least eth header len bytes

Published Jun 19, 2024
·
Updated

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:

net: bridge: xmit: make sure we have at least eth header len bytes

syzbot triggered an uninit value[1] error in bridge device's xmit path by sending a short (less than ETHHLEN bytes) skb. To fix it check if we can actually pull that amount instead of assuming.

Tested with dropwatch: drop at: brdevxmit+0xb93/0x12d0 [bridge] (0xffffffffc06739b3) origin: software timestamp: Mon May 13 11:31:53 2024 778214037 nsec protocol: 0x88a8 length: 2 original length: 2 drop reason: PKTTOOSMALL

[1] BUG: KMSAN: uninit-value in brdevxmit+0x61d/0x1cb0 net/bridge/brdevice.c:65 brdevxmit+0x61d/0x1cb0 net/bridge/brdevice.c:65 netdevstartxmit include/linux/netdevice.h:4903 [inline] netdevstartxmit include/linux/netdevice.h:4917 [inline] xmitone net/core/dev.c:3531 [inline] devhardstartxmit+0x247/0xa20 net/core/dev.c:3547 devqueuexmit+0x34db/0x5350 net/core/dev.c:4341 devqueuexmit include/linux/netdevice.h:3091 [inline] bpftxskb net/core/filter.c:2136 [inline] bpfredirectcommon net/core/filter.c:2180 [inline] bpfredirect+0x14a6/0x1620 net/core/filter.c:2187 bpfcloneredirect net/core/filter.c:2460 [inline] bpfcloneredirect+0x328/0x470 net/core/filter.c:2432 bpfprogrun+0x13fe/0xe0f0 kernel/bpf/core.c:1997 bpfprogrun512+0xb5/0xe0 kernel/bpf/core.c:2238 bpfdispatchernopfunc include/linux/bpf.h:1234 [inline] bpfprogrun include/linux/filter.h:657 [inline] bpfprogrun include/linux/filter.h:664 [inline] bpftestrun+0x499/0xc30 net/bpf/testrun.c:425 bpfprogtestrunskb+0x14ea/0x1f20 net/bpf/testrun.c:1058 bpfprogtestrun+0x6b7/0xad0 kernel/bpf/syscall.c:4269 sysbpf+0x6aa/0xd90 kernel/bpf/syscall.c:5678 dosysbpf kernel/bpf/syscall.c:5767 [inline] sesysbpf kernel/bpf/syscall.c:5765 [inline] x64sysbpf+0xa0/0xe0 kernel/bpf/syscall.c:5765 x64syscall+0x96b/0x3b50 arch/x86/include/generated/asm/syscalls64.h:322 dosyscallx64 arch/x86/entry/common.c:52 [inline] dosyscall64+0xcf/0x1e0 arch/x86/entry/common.c:83 entrySYSCALL64afterhwframe+0x77/0x7f

Other sources

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:

net: bridge: xmit: make sure we have at least eth header len bytes

The Linux kernel CVE team has assigned CVE-2024-38538 to this issue.

Upstream advisory: https://lore.kernel.org/linux-cve-announce/2024061947-CVE-2024-38538-e28a@gregkh/T

Red Hat

Linux Kernel is vulnerable to a denial of service, caused by an uninit value[1] error in bridge device's xmit path. By sending a specially crafted request, a local authenticated attacker could exploit this vulnerability to cause a denial of service condition.

IBM

Affected Software

14 affected componentsFixes available
redhat/kernel<6.1.93
6.1.93
redhat/kernel<6.6.33
6.6.33
redhat/kernel<6.8.12
6.8.12
redhat/kernel<6.9.3
6.9.3
redhat/kernel<6.10
6.10
Linux Linux kernel>=2.6.12<6.1.93
Linux Linux kernel>=6.2<6.6.33
Linux Linux kernel>=6.7<6.8.12
Linux Linux kernel>=6.9<6.9.3
IBM Security Verify Governance<=ISVG 10.0.2
IBM Security Verify Governance, Identity Manager Software Stack<=ISVG 10.0.2
IBM Security Verify Governance, Identity Manager Virtual Appliance<=ISVG 10.0.2
IBM Security Verify Governance Identity Manager Container<=ISVG 10.0.2
debian/linux<=5.10.223-1
5.10.234-16.1.129-16.1.135-16.12.27-1

Event History

Jun 19, 2024
CVE Published
via MITRE·01:35 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·01:35 PM
Description
Data Sourced
via NVD·02:15 PM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software
Aug 8, 2024
Data Sourced
via Launchpad·11:27 PM
Description
Apr 27, 2025
Data Sourced
via Ubuntu·12:29 AM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityAffected Software

Parent advisories

This vulnerability appears in the following advisories.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2024-38538?

CVE-2024-38538 has been classified as a vulnerability that can lead to potential memory corruption in the Linux kernel.

2

How do I fix CVE-2024-38538?

To address CVE-2024-38538, you should update your Linux kernel to version 6.1.93, 6.6.33, 6.8.12, 6.9.3, 6.10, or any later patched version.

3

Which Linux distributions are affected by CVE-2024-38538?

CVE-2024-38538 affects various versions of the Linux kernel across multiple distributions, including Red Hat and Debian.

4

Can CVE-2024-38538 lead to system exploitation?

Yes, if exploited, CVE-2024-38538 could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code, potentially compromising system security.

5

What components of the Linux kernel does CVE-2024-38538 impact?

CVE-2024-38538 specifically impacts the bridge device within the Linux kernel's networking stack.

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