CVE-2024-58058 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 03/06/2025
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
ubifs: skip dumping tnc tree when zroot is null
Clearing slab cache will free all znode in memory and make c->zroot.znode = NULL, then dumping tnc tree will access c->zroot.znode which cause null pointer dereference.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/16/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-58058 resides within the Linux kernel's Unsorted Block Images File System implementation, specifically affecting the UBIFS subsystem. This issue represents a critical null pointer dereference condition that can lead to system instability and potential privilege escalation. The vulnerability manifests during the cleanup process when the slab cache is cleared, which results in the freeing of all znodes stored in memory. The underlying problem occurs when the system attempts to dump the tree node cache (tnc) structure while the zroot pointer has already been set to NULL, creating a scenario where memory access violations can occur.
The technical flaw stems from improper handling of memory management within the UBIFS file system's internal data structures. When the slab cache clearing operation executes, it systematically frees all znodes that represent the hierarchical structure of the UBIFS tree. During this process, the c->zroot.znode pointer is set to NULL to indicate that the root node is no longer valid. However, subsequent operations attempt to access this now-null pointer during the tree dumping procedure, leading to a classic null pointer dereference condition. This memory access violation occurs because the system fails to properly check for NULL conditions before attempting to traverse the tree structure, violating fundamental safety principles in kernel memory management.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system crashes, as it can potentially be exploited to gain elevated privileges or cause denial of service conditions within systems running affected Linux kernels. When the null pointer dereference occurs, the kernel typically generates a segmentation fault, leading to system panic or reboot. In environments where UBIFS is actively used for storage operations, particularly in embedded systems or devices that rely heavily on this file system, the vulnerability presents a significant risk to system availability and stability. The exploitation potential increases when considering that such vulnerabilities in kernel space can provide attackers with opportunities to escalate privileges or disrupt critical system operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-58058 should prioritize the immediate application of kernel updates containing the patched code that properly handles the NULL pointer condition during slab cache clearing operations. The fix implemented addresses the root cause by ensuring that the tree dumping procedure includes proper validation checks before accessing the zroot.znode pointer. System administrators should also consider implementing monitoring solutions to detect anomalous behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations using affected systems should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all instances where UBIFS is in use, as the vulnerability specifically impacts systems running Linux kernels with the affected UBIFS implementation. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-476, which describes null pointer dereference conditions in software systems, and could potentially map to ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for privilege escalation through kernel exploitation.
The resolution of this vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper memory management practices in kernel space operations, where even seemingly simple pointer dereference errors can have catastrophic system-wide consequences. The fix ensures that the UBIFS subsystem properly validates pointer states before attempting to access memory structures, preventing the null pointer dereference that could otherwise lead to system instability. This particular vulnerability highlights the complexity of maintaining memory safety in kernel-level file systems where multiple data structures interact and must maintain consistent state throughout various operational phases including initialization, active use, and cleanup processes.