CVE-2024-0841 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 01/28/2024
A null pointer dereference flaw was found in the hugetlbfs_fill_super function in the Linux kernel hugetlbfs (HugeTLB pages) functionality. This issue may allow a local user to crash the system or potentially escalate their privileges on the system.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/24/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-0841 represents a critical null pointer dereference flaw within the Linux kernel's HugeTLB pages filesystem implementation. This issue resides in the hugetlbfs_fill_super function which is responsible for initializing and setting up the superblock structure for HugeTLB filesystem instances. The flaw manifests when the kernel processes filesystem mounting operations for huge pages, creating a scenario where a null pointer reference can occur during the superblock initialization sequence. Such vulnerabilities in kernel-level filesystem operations are particularly dangerous as they can be exploited to cause system instability or unauthorized privilege escalation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a local user who can manipulate the filesystem mounting process to trigger the null pointer dereference condition. When the hugetlbfs_fill_super function attempts to access a pointer that has not been properly initialized or has been set to NULL, the kernel will attempt to dereference this invalid memory address. This results in a kernel panic and system crash, effectively causing a denial of service condition that can be leveraged by malicious users to disrupt system operations. The vulnerability's potential for privilege escalation stems from the fact that kernel memory corruption can be exploited to gain elevated privileges, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code with kernel-level permissions. This aligns with CWE-476 which specifically addresses null pointer dereference vulnerabilities in software systems.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to Linux systems that utilize HugeTLB pages for high-performance applications such as databases, scientific computing, and real-time systems. The local nature of the exploit means that any user with access to the system can potentially trigger the vulnerability, making it particularly concerning for multi-tenant environments or systems with untrusted local users. The impact extends beyond simple system crashes as the privilege escalation capability could allow attackers to compromise the entire system, access sensitive data, or establish persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects kernel versions that implement the hugetlbfs functionality, making it relevant across various Linux distributions and server environments that rely on huge page support for performance optimization.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-0841 should prioritize immediate kernel updates from vendors to address the null pointer dereference in the hugetlbfs subsystem. System administrators should also implement monitoring solutions to detect unusual filesystem mounting patterns or kernel panic events that could indicate exploitation attempts. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by limiting local user access to filesystem mounting operations and restricting the ability to create or modify huge page configurations. Additionally, implementing kernel hardening techniques such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and kernel module signing can provide additional protection layers. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit potential attack vectors and reduce the impact of successful exploitation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date kernel versions and implementing comprehensive security monitoring for kernel-level vulnerabilities that could affect system stability and security posture.