CVE-2024-39480: kdb: Fix buffer overflow during tab-complete

Published Jul 5, 2024
·
Updated

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

kdb: Fix buffer overflow during tab-complete

Currently, when the user attempts symbol completion with the Tab key, kdb will use strncpy() to insert the completed symbol into the command buffer. Unfortunately it passes the size of the source buffer rather than the destination to strncpy() with predictably horrible results. Most obviously if the command buffer is already full but cp, the cursor position, is in the middle of the buffer, then we will write past the end of the supplied buffer.

Fix this by replacing the dubious strncpy() calls with memmove()/memcpy() calls plus explicit boundary checks to make sure we have enough space before we start moving characters around.

Other sources

This CVE was automatically created from a reference found in an email or other text. If you are reading this, then this CVE entry is probably erroneous, since this text should be replaced by the official CVE description automatically.

Launchpad

Affected Software

8 affected componentsFixes available
Linux Linux kernel>=4.19<4.19.316
Linux Linux kernel>=5.4<5.4.278
Linux Linux kernel>=5.10<5.10.219
Linux Linux kernel>=5.15<5.15.161
Linux Linux kernel>=6.1<6.1.94
Linux Linux kernel>=6.6<6.6.34
Linux Linux kernel>=6.9<6.9.5
debian/linux
5.10.223-15.10.234-16.1.129-16.1.135-16.12.27-1

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

  1. Upgrade

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

    Fixed in 5.10.223-1Fixed in 5.10.234-1Fixed in 6.1.129-1Fixed in 6.1.135-1Fixed in 6.12.27-1
  2. Compensating control

    Temporarily avoid using kdb symbol completion with the Tab key until the buffer-overflow fix is applied.

Event History

Jul 5, 2024
CVE Published
via MITRE·06:55 AM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·06:55 AM
DescriptionSeverity
Data Sourced
via NVD·07:15 AM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software
Aug 8, 2024
Data Sourced
via Launchpad·11:30 PM
Description
Apr 27, 2025
Data Sourced
via Ubuntu·12:31 AM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityAffected Software

Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2024-39480?

CVE-2024-39480 has been rated as a high severity vulnerability due to its potential for causing buffer overflow issues.

2

How do I fix CVE-2024-39480?

To fix CVE-2024-39480, update to the patched versions of the Linux kernel mentioned in the vulnerability details.

3

Which versions of the Linux kernel are affected by CVE-2024-39480?

CVE-2024-39480 affects various versions of the Linux kernel, specifically those between 4.19 and 6.9.5.

4

What type of vulnerability is CVE-2024-39480?

CVE-2024-39480 is a buffer overflow vulnerability that occurs during symbol completion using the Tab key in kdb.

5

Is there a workaround for CVE-2024-39480?

Currently, there is no known workaround for CVE-2024-39480, so users should apply the necessary updates.

Contact

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