CVE-2024-50302 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 11/19/2024
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
HID: core: zero-initialize the report buffer
Since the report buffer is used by all kinds of drivers in various ways, let's zero-initialize it during allocation to make sure that it can't be ever used to leak kernel memory via specially-crafted report.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/16/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-50302 affects the Linux kernel's Human Interface Device (HID) subsystem, specifically within the core component responsible for managing HID device communications. This issue represents a potential information disclosure vulnerability that could allow malicious actors to extract sensitive kernel memory contents through improperly initialized memory buffers. The flaw exists in how the kernel handles report buffer allocation for HID devices, creating a scenario where uninitialized memory could contain residual data from previous operations. The HID subsystem serves as a critical interface for various input devices including keyboards, mice, touchscreens, and specialized hardware controllers, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for system security. The vulnerability falls under the category of information exposure through improper initialization, which is a common pattern in kernel-level security issues.
The technical root cause of CVE-2024-50302 lies in the failure to properly initialize memory buffers during allocation within the HID core driver. When report buffers are allocated for HID device communication, they are not zero-initialized before being made available for use by various HID drivers. This means that the memory regions could contain leftover data from previous operations, potentially including sensitive kernel memory contents, configuration data, or other confidential information. The vulnerability manifests when specially crafted HID reports are processed, allowing attackers to indirectly access this uninitialized memory through the report buffer mechanisms. The lack of proper initialization creates a path where kernel memory contents could be inadvertently exposed to user-space applications or malicious input devices, particularly when the buffer is subsequently processed by different HID drivers that may not properly validate or sanitize the data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across multiple attack vectors and system configurations where HID devices are present. Any system running a Linux kernel version affected by CVE-2024-50302 could potentially expose kernel memory contents through HID device interactions, with the risk being particularly high on systems with multiple HID devices or those that process complex HID reports. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive information such as kernel stack contents, memory addresses, or other confidential data that might aid in further exploitation attempts. The vulnerability is especially concerning in environments where physical access to HID devices is possible, as attackers could craft malicious reports to trigger the information disclosure. This issue aligns with CWE-1234, which addresses improper initialization of data structures, and represents a classic example of how seemingly minor initialization oversights can create significant security implications in kernel space operations.
The recommended mitigations for CVE-2024-50302 involve applying the kernel patch that implements zero-initialization of report buffers during allocation within the HID core subsystem. This fix ensures that all newly allocated HID report buffers are properly initialized to zero before being made available for use by various HID drivers, eliminating the possibility of information leakage through uninitialized memory contents. System administrators should prioritize updating their Linux kernel installations to versions containing this fix, particularly in environments where HID devices are actively used or where physical security is a concern. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management practices in kernel code, where initialization of allocated memory is critical to preventing information disclosure attacks. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual HID device behavior or memory access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing additional security controls such as device access restrictions and kernel lockdown mechanisms to further reduce the attack surface and potential impact of such vulnerabilities. This remediation approach directly addresses the underlying issue by ensuring that all HID report buffers start in a known, safe state regardless of their previous usage or allocation history.