CVE-2024-50160
Description
A flaw was found in the Linux kernel's ALSA sound driver, specifically in the hda/cs8409 component. A local attacker with low privileges could exploit this vulnerability. When the snd_hda_gen_add_kctl function fails to allocate memory and returns a null pointer, a subsequent operation attempts to dereference this null pointer. This can lead to a system crash, resulting in a denial of service (DoS).
Mitigation
To prevent the `snd_hda_codec_cs8409` kernel module from loading, create a modprobe configuration file.
1. Create `/etc/modprobe.d/disable-cs8409.conf` with the line: `blacklist snd_hda_codec_cs8409`.
2. Regenerate the initramfs: `dracut -f -v` (for RHEL 8/9) or `mkinitrd -f -v /boot/initramfs-$(uname -r).img $(uname -r)` (for RHEL 7).
3. Reboot the system for the changes to take effect.
This action may disable audio functionality provided by the CS8409 codec. A system reboot is required for the changes to be applied.
Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) Score Details
Info alert: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 Authority (CNA) source for its products and services (see Red Hat classifications).
The following CVSS metrics and score provided are preliminary and subject to review.
CVSS v3 Score Breakdown
| Red Hat | NVD | cve.org | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Score | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| Attack Vector | Local | Local | Local |
| Attack Complexity | Low | Low | Low |
| Privileges Required | Low | Low | Low |
| User Interaction | None | None | None |
| Scope | Unchanged | Unchanged | Unchanged |
| Confidentiality | None | None | None |
| Integrity Impact | None | None | None |
| Availability Impact | High | High | High |
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
cve.org: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
Understanding the Weakness (CWE)
Availability
Technical Impact: DoS: Crash, Exit, or Restart
NULL pointer dereferences usually result in the failure of the process unless exception handling (on some platforms) is available and implemented. Even when exception handling is being used, it can still be very difficult to return the software to a safe state of operation.
Integrity,Confidentiality
Technical Impact: Execute Unauthorized Code or Commands; Read Memory; Modify Memory
In rare circumstances, when NULL is equivalent to the 0x0 memory address and privileged code can access it, then writing or reading memory is possible, which may lead to code execution.
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