CVE-2024-53120
Description
A flaw was found in the Linux kernel's Mellanox mlx5 network driver. An uninitialized pointer is improperly accessed within the driver's error-handling path when adding connection tracking rules. A local user can exploit this vulnerability during a rule configuration failure, triggering a null pointer dereference that causes a system crash and Denial of Service (DoS).
Mitigation
Prevent the mlx5_core kernel module from loading if Mellanox ConnectX devices are not required on the host:
1. Create a configuration file to blacklist the driver:
# echo "blacklist mlx5_core" > /etc/modprobe.d/disable-mlx5_core.conf
# echo "install mlx5_core /bin/true" >> /etc/modprobe.d/disable-mlx5_core.conf
2. If the module is loaded in the initial ramdisk, regenerate it:
# dracut -f
3. Reboot the system for the configuration to take effect.
Caveat: Disabling the mlx5_core module disables all hardware support for Mellanox ConnectX network adapters and disrupts network connectivity on those interfaces. A host reboot is required to ensure the module is fully unloaded.
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 Hat | NVD | cve.org | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Score | 4.4 | 5.5 | 7.5 |
| Attack Vector | Local | Local | Network |
| Attack Complexity | Low | Low | Low |
| Privileges Required | High | Low | None |
| 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: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:N/AC:L/PR:N/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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