CVE-2024-42147 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 07/30/2024
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
crypto: hisilicon/debugfs - Fix debugfs uninit process issue
During the zip probe process, the debugfs failure does not stop the probe. When debugfs initialization fails, jumping to the error branch will also release regs, in addition to its own rollback operation.
As a result, it may be released repeatedly during the regs uninit process. Therefore, the null check needs to be added to the regs uninit process.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/19/2025
The vulnerability CVE-2024-42147 resides within the Linux kernel's crypto subsystem, specifically affecting the hisilicon debugfs implementation. This issue manifests during the zip probe process where the system attempts to initialize debugfs functionality for hardware security modules. The flaw represents a classic resource management error that can lead to system instability and potential security implications. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-459 as incomplete cleanup or termination, which directly impacts the proper handling of system resources during device initialization sequences.
The technical implementation flaw occurs when the debugfs initialization process encounters an error during the zip probe operation. While the system correctly identifies the failure and attempts to roll back operations, the error handling mechanism contains a critical oversight. Specifically, when jumping to the error branch following debugfs initialization failure, the system releases the regs resource as part of the rollback process. However, this same regs resource may subsequently be released again during the normal cleanup phase of the regs uninit process, leading to a double-free condition that can cause memory corruption and system crashes.
This vulnerability operates at the kernel level and presents significant operational risks to systems utilizing hisilicon cryptographic hardware. The double-free condition can result in arbitrary code execution, system crashes, or denial of service conditions that compromise the integrity of the cryptographic subsystem. Attackers could potentially exploit this flaw to gain elevated privileges or cause persistent system instability, particularly in environments where cryptographic operations are frequently performed. The issue directly impacts the reliability of hardware security modules and can affect systems that depend on proper resource management during device initialization.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper null pointer checks within the regs uninit process to prevent double-free conditions. System administrators should ensure that all kernel updates are applied promptly to address this vulnerability, particularly in production environments where cryptographic hardware is actively utilized. The fix requires modifications to the error handling code path to track resource state and prevent redundant cleanup operations. Additionally, comprehensive testing should be conducted to verify that the patched implementation correctly handles all possible error scenarios during the zip probe process without introducing new stability issues. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect potential exploitation attempts targeting this class of resource management vulnerabilities.