CVE-2024-42155 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 07/30/2024
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
s390/pkey: Wipe copies of protected- and secure-keys
Although the clear-key of neither protected- nor secure-keys is accessible, this key material should only be visible to the calling process. So wipe all copies of protected- or secure-keys from stack, even in case of an error.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/19/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-42155 affects the Linux kernel implementation on s390 architecture systems, specifically within the protected and secure key management subsystem. This issue resides in the kernel's handling of cryptographic key material that is designated as protected or secure, which are critical components for maintaining system security in enterprise environments. The vulnerability stems from inadequate memory management practices during key operations, where sensitive key data remains accessible in memory locations beyond the scope of the calling process. This flaw represents a significant security concern as it violates fundamental principles of memory isolation and privilege separation that are essential for maintaining the confidentiality of cryptographic material.
The technical flaw manifests in the kernel's failure to properly wipe or clear copies of protected and secure keys from memory stack areas during key processing operations. Even though the actual clear-key material is inherently inaccessible due to protection mechanisms, the vulnerability occurs when copies of this sensitive data persist in memory locations such as the stack, potentially exposing them to unauthorized access. The issue specifically affects error handling scenarios where the kernel does not adequately clean up key material from stack memory, creating potential attack vectors for malicious actors who might exploit these residual copies. This behavior directly contravenes established security practices for memory management and sensitive data handling, particularly in systems where memory remanence could be exploited.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across enterprise and mainframe computing environments that rely on s390 architecture systems with Linux kernel implementations. Systems utilizing protected and secure keys for cryptographic operations become vulnerable to information disclosure attacks where residual key copies in memory could potentially be accessed through various exploitation techniques. The vulnerability affects the integrity of cryptographic operations and undermines the trust model of the system, as it allows for potential leakage of key material beyond the intended scope of the calling process. This issue particularly impacts organizations that depend on hardware-assisted cryptographic features and memory protection mechanisms, potentially compromising the security of sensitive data processing and communication channels.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-42155 involve implementing the kernel patches that ensure proper memory wiping of protected and secure key copies from stack areas during all execution paths, including error conditions. System administrators should prioritize updating their s390-based Linux systems to versions containing the fix, which typically involves kernel updates that enforce comprehensive memory cleanup procedures for cryptographic key material. The solution aligns with established security practices for memory management and follows principles outlined in the Common Weakness Enumeration framework, specifically addressing weaknesses related to improper handling of sensitive data and memory exposure. Organizations should also implement monitoring procedures to detect any potential exploitation attempts and maintain updated security configurations that minimize the attack surface for memory-based exploits. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management in cryptographic systems and reinforces the need for comprehensive security testing of kernel components that handle sensitive data operations.