CVE-2024-26982: Squashfs: check the inode number is not the invalid value of zero
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
Squashfs: check the inode number is not the invalid value of zero
Syskiller has produced an out of bounds access in fill_meta_index().
That out of bounds access is ultimately caused because the inode
has an inode number with the invalid value of zero, which was not checked.
The reason this causes the out of bounds access is due to following
sequence of events:
1. Fill_meta_index() is called to allocate (via empty_meta_index())
and fill a metadata index. It however suffers a data read error
and aborts, invalidating the newly returned empty metadata index.
It does this by setting the inode number of the index to zero,
which means unused (zero is not a valid inode number).
2. When fill_meta_index() is subsequently called again on another
read operation, locate_meta_index() returns the previous index
because it matches the inode number of 0. Because this index
has been returned it is expected to have been filled, and because
it hasn't been, an out of bounds access is performed.
This patch adds a sanity check which checks that the inode number
is not zero when the inode is created and returns -EINVAL if it is.
[phillip@squashfs.org.uk: whitespace fix]
Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2024-26982 is a Linux kernel Squashfs bug. A malformed or corrupted Squashfs filesystem can trigger an out-of-bounds access during metadata handling. The public record does not provide CVSS, impact scoring, or evidence of active exploitation. Treat this as a kernel update hygiene issue, especially where systems mount Squashfs images from less-trusted sources.
Executive priority
Schedule remediation through normal kernel patch cycles, with higher priority for appliances, embedded Linux, and systems exposed to untrusted filesystem images. There is no sourced evidence of active exploitation, but kernel memory-safety issues can carry operational risk if reachable.
Technical view
Squashfs did not reject inode number zero when creating an inode. After a metadata read error, an empty metadata index could be invalidated with inode number zero, then later incorrectly matched and reused by locate_meta_index(), causing out-of-bounds access in fill_meta_index(). The kernel fix adds a sanity check and returns -EINVAL for inode number zero.
Likely exposure
Linux systems using affected kernel builds and mounting or reading Squashfs filesystems are the relevant exposure. Squashfs is common in embedded systems, live images, containers, appliances, and read-only filesystem deployments. Actual exposure depends on distro backports and whether untrusted Squashfs images are processed.
Exploitation context
No CISA KEV listing is provided, and the supplied sources do not state active exploitation. The trigger is tied to Squashfs metadata handling, likely requiring the kernel to process a specially malformed or corrupted Squashfs image. Public sources do not provide reliable impact details beyond out-of-bounds access.
Researcher notes
The useful technical indicator is the Squashfs fix adding validation that inode numbers are not zero at inode creation. The CVE record lacks CVSS and does not specify exploitability outcome such as crash or privilege escalation. Confirm distro backports rather than relying only on upstream version numbers.
Mitigation direction
Apply kernel updates from your Linux distribution or product vendor.
Verify the Squashfs inode-zero sanity-check fix is included.
Prioritize systems that mount Squashfs from removable, user-supplied, or external sources.
Review Debian, Fedora, Siemens, and other vendor advisories for applicable packages.
If updates are unavailable, limit processing of untrusted Squashfs images where operationally feasible.
Validation and detection
Inventory Linux kernel versions across servers, endpoints, appliances, and embedded devices.
Check vendor advisories for CVE-2024-26982 applicability and fixed package versions.
Confirm the running kernel includes the Squashfs inode number zero validation fix.
Identify workflows that mount or scan Squashfs images from untrusted sources.
Track remediation status separately for distro kernels and vendor appliances.
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Potential ATT&CK relevance
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