CVE-2024-0607: Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

This CVE record involves a moderate severity pointer math issue in the nf_tables component of the Linux kernel, specifically in the nft_byteorder_eval() function. The vulnerability can be exploited locally, potentially leading to a denial of service or the disruption of NetFilter functionality.

Understanding CVE-2024-0607

This section delves deeper into the details of the CVE-2024-0607 vulnerability, covering its impact, technical aspects, affected systems, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2024-0607?

The flaw identified in the Netfilter subsystem of the Linux kernel lies in the nft_byteorder_eval() function. This vulnerability arises due to an issue where the code writes 8 bytes on each iteration to an array that can only accommodate 4 bytes per element. As a result, each iteration overwrites part of the previous element, potentially leading to corruption and allowing a local user to trigger denial of service attacks or disrupt NetFilter functionality.

The Impact of CVE-2024-0607

The impact of CVE-2024-0607 is classified as moderate, with the vulnerability having a base severity score of 6.6 out of 10. The attack vector is local, requiring low privileges and an attack complexity level deemed as low. The exploitation of this vulnerability could result in a high impact on availability, while confidentiality and integrity impacts are considered low.

Technical Details of CVE-2024-0607

In this section, we will explore the technical aspects of CVE-2024-0607, including the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in nft_byteorder_eval() allows a local user to overwrite elements in an array beyond their allocated space, potentially leading to denial of service or disruption of NetFilter functionality.

Affected Systems and Versions

The Linux kernel version 6.7-rc2 is reported as unaffected.
Red Hat Enterprise Linux versions 6, 7, 8, and 9 are affected by this vulnerability.
Fedora systems using the kernel package are also affected.

Exploitation Mechanism

The exploitation of this vulnerability involves manipulating the nft_byteorder_eval() function to write more data than the destination array can accommodate, causing corruption and potential service disruptions.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2024-0607, immediate steps should be taken to mitigate the impact and secure affected systems. Long-term security practices and the importance of patching and updates are crucial in safeguarding against such vulnerabilities.

Immediate Steps to Take

Blacklisting the kernel netfilter module can help prevent the affected code from being loaded, offering an initial mitigation strategy against this vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing robust security measures, regular vulnerability assessments, and applying security best practices can enhance overall system resilience against similar threats in the future.

Patching and Updates

Staying updated with security patches released by relevant vendors, such as Red Hat, is essential to ensure systems are protected against known vulnerabilities like CVE-2024-0607.

By following these mitigation strategies and keeping systems up to date with the latest security patches, organizations can strengthen their defenses against potential cyber threats.