CVE-2024-0641 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 01/17/2024
A denial of service vulnerability was found in tipc_crypto_key_revoke in net/tipc/crypto.c in the Linux kernel’s TIPC subsystem. This flaw allows guests with local user privileges to trigger a deadlock and potentially crash the system.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/10/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-0641 resides within the Linux kernel's TIPC (Transparent Inter-Process Communication) subsystem, specifically in the tipc_crypto_key_revoke function located in net/tipc/crypto.c. This represents a critical security flaw that demonstrates how cryptographic operations within kernel space can become attack vectors for denial of service attacks. The TIPC subsystem facilitates communication between processes across networked systems and is particularly relevant in clustered computing environments where reliable inter-process communication is essential. The vulnerability's presence in the cryptographic key management component suggests a fundamental weakness in how the kernel handles security-sensitive operations that could be exploited by malicious actors with local access.
The technical flaw manifests as a deadlock condition that occurs when the tipc_crypto_key_revoke function processes cryptographic key revocation requests. This function is responsible for managing the lifecycle of cryptographic keys used within the TIPC network communication framework. When local users with standard privileges invoke operations that trigger this function, the system enters a state where threads become blocked indefinitely, creating a deadlock scenario that prevents normal system operation. The underlying mechanism appears to involve improper synchronization primitives or race conditions within the key revocation process, causing system resources to become unavailable and potentially leading to complete system crashes. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-362 which specifically addresses concurrent execution using shared resources without proper synchronization, and can be classified as a deadlock or starvation condition.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-0641 extends beyond simple system unavailability as it represents a potential vector for persistent denial of service attacks that could severely disrupt services in clustered environments. Local users with minimal privileges can exploit this vulnerability to cause system instability, which is particularly concerning in multi-tenant environments or systems where guest users might have limited access. The implications are significant for enterprise systems that rely on TIPC for high-availability communications, as an attacker could repeatedly trigger the deadlock condition to maintain system unavailability. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 which involves network denial of service attacks, and more specifically T1565.002 which covers data manipulation through system resource exhaustion. The potential for cascading failures in distributed systems makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it could affect not just individual machines but entire network clusters relying on TIPC communication.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-0641 must address both immediate operational concerns and long-term security posture improvements. System administrators should prioritize applying kernel updates from trusted sources that contain patches specifically addressing the deadlock condition in the tipc_crypto_key_revoke function. In environments where immediate patching is not feasible, operational controls should include monitoring for unusual system behavior that might indicate deadlock conditions, implementing resource limits on TIPC subsystem usage, and restricting local user privileges where possible. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper kernel module security reviews and emphasizes the need for comprehensive testing of cryptographic operations within kernel space. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can monitor for patterns consistent with this type of denial of service attack. Additionally, the incident underscores the necessity of following security best practices outlined in NIST SP 800-53 and ISO/IEC 27001 standards for maintaining secure system configurations and managing vulnerabilities in operating system components.