CVE-2024-38543: lib/test_hmm.c: handle src_pfns and dst_pfns allocation failure

Published Jun 19, 2024
·
Updated

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

lib/testhmm.c: handle srcpfns and dstpfns allocation failure

The kcalloc() in dmirrordeviceevictchunk() will return null if the physical memory has run out. As a result, if srcpfns or dstpfns is dereferenced, the null pointer dereference bug will happen.

Moreover, the device is going away. If the kcalloc() fails, the pages mapping a chunk could not be evicted. So add a GFPNOFAIL flag in kcalloc().

Finally, as there is no need to have physically contiguous memory, Switch kcalloc() to kvcalloc() in order to avoid failing allocations.

Other sources

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

lib/testhmm.c: handle srcpfns and dstpfns allocation failure

The Linux kernel CVE team has assigned CVE-2024-38543 to this issue.

Upstream advisory: https://lore.kernel.org/linux-cve-announce/2024061948-CVE-2024-38543-ff2e@gregkh/T

Red Hat

Affected Software

10 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>=5.8<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
debian/linux<=5.10.223-1, <=5.10.234-1
6.1.129-16.1.135-16.12.25-16.12.27-1

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

  1. Upgrade

    Upgrade debian/linux to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.1.129-1Fixed in 6.1.135-1Fixed in 6.12.25-1Fixed in 6.12.27-1
  2. Upgrade

    Upgrade redhat/kernel to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.1.93
  3. Upgrade

    Upgrade redhat/kernel to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.6.33
  4. Upgrade

    Upgrade redhat/kernel to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.8.12
  5. Upgrade

    Upgrade redhat/kernel to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.9.3
  6. Upgrade

    Upgrade redhat/kernel to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.10
  7. Upgrade

    Upgrade Linux kernel to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Patch CVE-2024-38543
  8. Configuration

    In dmirror_device_evict_chunk(), switch kcalloc() to kvcalloc() to avoid failing allocations.

    Linux kernel (lib/test_hmm.c) dmirror_device_evict_chunk() allocation strategy: kcalloc() -> kvcalloc() = kvcalloc()
  9. Configuration

    In kcalloc(), add a __GFP_NOFAIL flag as stated in the resolution to prevent null-return allocation failures.

    Linux kernel (lib/test_hmm.c) dmirror_device_evict_chunk() kcalloc() flags = __GFP_NOFAIL

Event History

Jun 19, 2024
CVE Published
via MITRE·01:35 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·01:35 PM
Description
Jun 20, 2024
Data Sourced
via Red Hat·05:38 PM
DescriptionSeverityAffected Software
Aug 8, 2024
Data Sourced
via Launchpad·11:29 PM
Description
Apr 27, 2025
Data Sourced
via Ubuntu·12:29 AM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityAffected Software

Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2024-38543?

CVE-2024-38543 has a severity rating that impacts memory allocation in the Linux kernel.

2

How do I fix CVE-2024-38543?

To fix CVE-2024-38543, update to kernel versions 6.1.93, 6.6.33, 6.8.12, 6.9.3, or 6.10 from Red Hat.

3

Which kernel versions are affected by CVE-2024-38543?

CVE-2024-38543 affects Linux kernel versions prior to 6.1.93, 6.6.33, 6.8.12, 6.9.3, and 6.10.

4

What type of vulnerability is CVE-2024-38543?

CVE-2024-38543 is a memory allocation vulnerability in the Linux kernel.

5

Is CVE-2024-38543 a local or remote vulnerability?

CVE-2024-38543 is classified as a local vulnerability that requires local access to exploit.

Contact

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