CVE-2024-40966: tty: add the option to have a tty reject a new ldisc

Published Jul 12, 2024
·
Updated

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

tty: add the option to have a tty reject a new ldisc

... and use it to limit the virtual terminals to just NTTY. They are kind of special, and in particular, the "conwrite()" routine violates the "writes cannot sleep" rule that some ldiscs rely on.

This avoids the

BUG: sleeping function called from invalid context at kernel/printk/printk.c:2659

when NGSM has been attached to a virtual console, and gsmldwrite() calls conwrite() while holding a spinlock, and conwrite() then tries to get the console lock.

Affected Software

10 affected componentsFixes available
redhat/kernel<6.1.96
6.1.96
redhat/kernel<6.6.36
6.6.36
redhat/kernel<6.9.7
6.9.7
redhat/kernel<6.10
6.10
debian/linux<=5.10.223-1, <=5.10.234-1
6.1.129-16.1.135-16.12.25-16.12.27-1
debian/linux-6.1
6.1.129-1~deb11u1
Linux Linux kernel<6.1.96
Linux Linux kernel>=6.2<6.6.36
Linux Linux kernel>=6.7<6.9.7
Microsoft cbl2 kernel 5.15.186.1-1

Event History

Jul 12, 2024
CVE Published
via MITRE·12:32 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·12:32 PM
Description
Data Sourced
via NVD·01:15 PM
Description
Data Sourced
via NVD·01:15 PM
RemedySeverityAffected Software
May 9, 2025
Data Sourced
via Ubuntu·06:18 PM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityAffected Software
Oct 8, 2025
Data Sourced
via Microsoft·01:01 AM
DescriptionSeverityWeakness
Data Sourced
via Microsoft·01:01 AM
Affected Software
Updated
via Microsoft·01:01 AM
DescriptionSeverity

Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2024-40966?

CVE-2024-40966 has a moderate severity rating due to its impact on terminal behavior.

2

How do I fix CVE-2024-40966?

To fix CVE-2024-40966, update the Linux kernel to version 6.1.96 or later, or apply the appropriate patches if available.

3

Which systems are affected by CVE-2024-40966?

CVE-2024-40966 affects various Linux systems that utilize specific kernel versions, particularly Red Hat and Debian distributions.

4

What are the potential impacts of CVE-2024-40966?

The potential impacts of CVE-2024-40966 include malicious manipulation of terminal functionalities, leading to security risks.

5

Is CVE-2024-40966 exploitable remotely?

CVE-2024-40966 is not directly exploitably remotely but could impact system security configurations if user access is compromised.

Contact

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