CVE-2024-35965 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 05/20/2024
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
Bluetooth: L2CAP: Fix not validating setsockopt user input
Check user input length before copying data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/24/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-35965 resides within the Linux kernel's Bluetooth implementation, specifically affecting the Layer 2 Channel Association Protocol component. This issue represents a classic input validation flaw that could potentially allow malicious actors to exploit improper handling of user-supplied data during Bluetooth socket configuration operations. The vulnerability manifests in the setsockopt system call implementation where the kernel fails to properly validate the length of user-provided input data before processing it, creating a potential attack surface for buffer overflows or memory corruption scenarios.
The technical flaw stems from insufficient validation of user input parameters when configuring Bluetooth L2CAP sockets through the setsockopt interface. When applications attempt to set socket options for Bluetooth connections, the kernel should verify that the provided data length matches expected parameters before copying the information into kernel memory. Without this validation step, an attacker could potentially supply malformed or oversized input data that exceeds the allocated buffer space, leading to memory corruption that might result in privilege escalation or system instability. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of stack-based buffer overflow, though the specific implementation in this case involves user input validation rather than traditional stack manipulation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it could potentially enable attackers to execute arbitrary code within the kernel context. Since Bluetooth functionality is integral to many Linux-based systems including smartphones, tablets, and embedded devices, exploitation could compromise a wide range of platforms. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the core kernel networking subsystem, meaning successful exploitation could provide attackers with elevated privileges and full control over affected systems. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which describes local privilege escalation through kernel vulnerabilities, and T1059 which covers execution through system commands.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-35965 should prioritize immediate patch deployment from kernel vendors, as this vulnerability represents a critical security risk that requires urgent attention. System administrators should ensure all Linux systems running Bluetooth services are updated to versions containing the fix, which typically involves adding proper input length validation before data copying operations. Additional defensive measures include implementing network segmentation to limit Bluetooth access, disabling unnecessary Bluetooth services, and monitoring for suspicious socket configuration activities. Organizations should also consider implementing kernel hardening techniques such as stack canaries and address space layout randomization to reduce exploitability even if the primary vulnerability is not immediately patched. The fix itself represents a straightforward validation enhancement that should be applied across all affected kernel versions, demonstrating the importance of proper input validation in kernel space operations and aligning with security best practices outlined in the CWE guidelines for preventing buffer overflow vulnerabilities.