CVE-2024-43816 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 08/17/2024
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
scsi: lpfc: Revise lpfc_prep_embed_io routine with proper endian macro usages
On big endian architectures, it is possible to run into a memory out of bounds pointer dereference when FCP targets are zoned.
In lpfc_prep_embed_io, the memcpy(ptr, fcp_cmnd, sgl->sge_len) is referencing a little endian formatted sgl->sge_len value. So, the memcpy can cause big endian systems to crash.
Redefine the *sgl ptr as a struct sli4_sge_le to make it clear that we are referring to a little endian formatted data structure. And, update the routine with proper le32_to_cpu macro usages.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/01/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-43816 resides within the Linux kernel's SCSI low-level driver for the LightPulse Fibre Channel (FC) host adapters, specifically affecting the lpfc driver implementation. This issue manifests as a memory corruption vulnerability that occurs exclusively on big endian architectures when processing FCP (Fibre Channel Protocol) commands from zoned targets. The flaw represents a critical security concern that can lead to system crashes and potential denial of service conditions, impacting enterprise storage environments that rely on Fibre Channel connectivity for mission-critical operations.
The technical root cause stems from improper handling of endianness within the lpfc_prep_embed_io routine where the driver fails to correctly interpret the byte order of data structures. Specifically, the routine performs a memcpy operation using sgl->sge_len as a source parameter without accounting for the fact that this field contains little endian formatted data on big endian systems. This misinterpretation results in a memory out of bounds pointer dereference when the driver attempts to copy data from the FCP command structure to the target buffer. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-129 as an Improper Validation of Array Index, while also exhibiting characteristics of CWE-128 as an Wraparound or Overflow Condition. The flaw aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for Network Denial of Service and T1566.001 for Spearphishing Attachment, as it can be exploited to disrupt storage services and potentially enable more sophisticated attacks through system instability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system crashes, as it can compromise the integrity of storage operations in enterprise environments where Fibre Channel storage area networks (SANs) are prevalent. When FCP targets are configured in zoning scenarios, the vulnerability becomes exploitable, creating a pathway for attackers to cause system instability that could affect data availability and potentially allow for privilege escalation or information disclosure. The vulnerability affects systems running Linux kernel versions prior to the patched release and impacts organizations using LightPulse FC host adapters, particularly those with big endian processor architectures such as certain IBM Power Systems or other big endian hardware platforms. Organizations utilizing zoned FCP configurations are at heightened risk, as the vulnerability specifically requires this configuration to be present for exploitation to occur.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-43816 involve immediate deployment of patched kernel versions that implement proper endianness handling through the introduction of the struct sli4_sge_le data structure and the utilization of le32_to_cpu macro conversions. System administrators should prioritize patching affected systems, particularly those running big endian architectures and utilizing Fibre Channel storage environments. Additionally, implementing monitoring for unusual system crashes or storage connectivity issues can help detect potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation to limit access to storage networks and ensure that only authorized systems can communicate with FCP targets. The fix demonstrates proper adherence to kernel security practices by ensuring data structure field interpretation aligns with the actual byte order of the underlying hardware platform. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments of their storage infrastructure to identify systems running affected kernel versions and prioritize remediation efforts based on risk assessment of their specific storage configurations.