CVE-2024-41017 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 07/29/2024
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
jfs: don't walk off the end of ealist
Add a check before visiting the members of ea to make sure each ea stays within the ealist.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/18/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-41017 affects the Linux kernel's JFS (Journaled File System) implementation and represents a classic buffer overflow condition that could lead to system instability or potential privilege escalation. This flaw exists in the extended attributes handling mechanism of the JFS filesystem where the kernel fails to properly validate bounds when traversing extended attribute lists. The issue manifests when processing extended attributes associated with files, specifically during the iteration through the extended attribute list structure where the kernel does not adequately verify that each extended attribute remains within the allocated memory boundaries of the ealist. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-129 weakness category, which specifically addresses insufficient bound checking in the context of input validation and memory management. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it operates at the kernel level within the filesystem driver, making it a potential attack vector for privilege escalation or denial of service attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking within the JFS filesystem code where the kernel processes extended attributes without verifying that attribute pointers remain within the valid memory range of the extended attribute list. When the kernel iterates through the ealist structure to access individual extended attributes, it fails to validate that each extended attribute's memory location stays within the allocated buffer boundaries. This oversight creates a scenario where a malicious actor could craft specially formatted extended attributes that cause the kernel to access memory outside the intended bounds, potentially leading to memory corruption or information disclosure. The flaw demonstrates a classic example of improper input validation and memory management that aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which involves the exploitation of privileges and access tokens through kernel-level vulnerabilities. The vulnerability is classified as a memory safety issue where the lack of bounds checking in the extended attribute processing code creates a path for arbitrary memory access that could be exploited by attackers.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-41017 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially enable more serious security compromises within systems utilizing JFS filesystems. When exploited, this vulnerability could allow an attacker to cause system crashes through kernel memory corruption, potentially leading to complete system instability and reboot cycles. More critically, the vulnerability could be leveraged to escalate privileges by corrupting kernel memory structures or potentially enabling code execution in kernel space. Systems that rely heavily on extended attributes for file metadata management or security policies would be particularly vulnerable, as attackers could manipulate these attributes to trigger the buffer overflow condition. The vulnerability affects any Linux system running a kernel version that includes the JFS filesystem implementation and where extended attributes are actively used, making it a widespread concern for enterprise environments. Organizations with systems using JFS filesystems should consider this vulnerability as a high-priority concern due to its potential for both availability and integrity impacts.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-41017 primarily involve applying the official kernel patches that implement the bounds checking mechanism described in the fix. The recommended approach includes updating to the patched kernel version that includes the specific check before visiting members of the extended attribute list to ensure each extended attribute stays within the ealist boundaries. System administrators should also implement monitoring for unusual extended attribute usage patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability requires specific extended attribute structures to be present for exploitation to occur. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing access controls to limit who can set extended attributes on critical system files, reducing the attack surface for this particular vulnerability. The fix addresses the root cause by introducing proper bounds validation before memory access operations, which aligns with security best practices for preventing buffer overflow conditions in kernel code. Regular kernel updates and security audits should be performed to ensure that similar vulnerabilities are not present in other filesystem implementations or kernel subsystems, as this type of memory safety issue commonly occurs across various kernel components and follows patterns identified in the CWE and ATT&CK frameworks for kernel-level vulnerabilities.