CVE-2024-26659

Description

A flaw was found in the Linux kernel related to the Extensible Host Controller Interface (xHCI) subsystem, specifically how it handles certain events. The issue arises when the xHCI driver improperly handles isochronous (isoc) Babble and Buffer Overrun events. The vulnerability occurs because the xHCI driver incorrectly assumes that the xHC (host controller) has released its ownership of a multi-TRB (Transfer Request Block) TD (Transfer Descriptor) after reporting an error on an early TRB. This assumption leads to the premature release of the TD, allowing remaining TRBs to be freed or overwritten, which can cause system instability or crashes.

Statement

Red Hat Product Security has classified the severity of this vulnerability as Moderate due to the specific prerequisites required for exploitation. Successful exploitation generally necessitates local access to the system with elevated permissions to interact with the Extensible Host Controller Interface (xHCI) driver, which effectively translates to root-level access.

Mitigation

There is no known mitigation to this problem. Red Hat recommends updating to the latest kernel version to fix the problem.

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).

CVSS v3 Score Breakdown

Red HatNVDcve.org
Base Score4.15.57.8
Attack VectorLocalLocalLocal
Attack ComplexityHighLowLow
Privileges RequiredHighLowLow
User InteractionNoneNoneNone
ScopeUnchangedUnchangedUnchanged
ConfidentialityNoneNoneHigh
Integrity ImpactNoneNoneHigh
Availability ImpactHighHighHigh

Vector

Red Hat: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:H/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:H/I:H/A:H

Understanding the Weakness (CWE)

Integrity,Confidentiality,Availability

Technical Impact: Execute Unauthorized Code or Commands; Modify Memory

If the memory accessible by the attacker can be effectively controlled, it may be possible to execute arbitrary code, as with a standard buffer overflow. If the attacker can overwrite a pointer's worth of memory (usually 32 or 64 bits), they can alter the intended control flow by redirecting a function pointer to their own malicious code. Even when the attacker can only modify a single byte arbitrary code execution can be possible. Sometimes this is because the same problem can be exploited repeatedly to the same effect. Other times it is because the attacker can overwrite security-critical application-specific data -- such as a flag indicating whether the user is an administrator.

Availability,Confidentiality

Technical Impact: Read Memory; DoS: Crash, Exit, or Restart; DoS: Resource Consumption (CPU); DoS: Resource Consumption (Memory)

Out of bounds memory access will very likely result in the corruption of relevant memory, and perhaps instructions, possibly leading to a crash. Other attacks leading to lack of availability are possible, including putting the program into an infinite loop.

Confidentiality

Technical Impact: Read Memory

In the case of an out-of-bounds read, the attacker may have access to sensitive information. If the sensitive information contains system details, such as the current buffer's position in memory, this knowledge can be used to craft further attacks, possibly with more severe consequences.

Frequently Asked Questions

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