CVE-2024-53209
Description
A flaw was found in the Linux kernel's Broadcom NetXtreme-E (bnxt_en) network driver. This flaw can lead to a Denial of Service (DoS) through memory corruption when the Maximum Transmission Unit (MTU) is modified while eXpress Data Path (XDP) is active. The configuration change desynchronizes receive ring settings, causing network hardware to write data beyond allocated buffer boundaries via Direct Memory Access (DMA). A local user with network administration privileges can exploit this vulnerability to crash the system.
Mitigation
Prevent the bnxt_en kernel driver from loading if Broadcom NetXtreme network hardware is not required:
1. Add a modprobe configuration to blacklist the module:
# echo "install bnxt_en /bin/true" > /etc/modprobe.d/disable-bnxt_en.conf
2. Unload the module if it is currently loaded and not in active use:
# rmmod bnxt_en
Warning: Unloading active network drivers or modifying kernel module configurations can interrupt network connectivity and may require a system restart to take effect completely.
Caveats:
Disabling this module disables support for Broadcom NetXtreme network interfaces. For systems actively using this hardware, this issue can be operationally avoided by refraining from changing interface MTU configurations while multi-buffer XDP programs are running.
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 | 9.8 |
| Attack Vector | Local | Local | Network |
| Attack Complexity | Low | Low | Low |
| Privileges Required | Low | Low | None |
| User Interaction | None | None | None |
| Scope | Unchanged | Unchanged | Unchanged |
| Confidentiality | None | None | High |
| Integrity Impact | None | None | High |
| 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:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/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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