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CVE Record

CVE-2024-26988: init/main.c: Fix potential static_command_line memory overflow

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: init/main.c: Fix potential static_command_line memory overflow We allocate memory of size 'xlen + strlen(boot_command_line) + 1' for static_command_line, but the strings copied into static_command_line are extra_command_line and command_line, rather than extra_command_line and boot_command_line. When strlen(command_line) > strlen(boot_command_line), static_command_line will overflow. This patch just recovers strlen(command_line) which was miss-consolidated with strlen(boot_command_line) in the commit f5c7310ac73e ("init/main: add checks for the return value of memblock_alloc*()")

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysisunknown

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2024-26988 is a Linux kernel bug where startup command-line handling can allocate too little memory and overflow it. The public record does not provide a CVSS score, proven impact, or active exploitation evidence. Treat it as a kernel maintenance priority, especially for Linux servers, appliances, and embedded products using affected kernel branches.

Executive priority

Schedule remediation through normal kernel patch cycles, with faster handling for critical infrastructure and vendor-confirmed affected appliances. There is no sourced evidence of active exploitation, but kernel memory bugs warrant disciplined patching because exposure can be hard to assess after distribution backporting.

Technical view

The kernel allocated static_command_line using extra_command_line plus boot_command_line length, but copied extra_command_line plus command_line. If command_line is longer than boot_command_line, static_command_line can overflow. The fix restores the command_line length calculation. Stable kernel commits and Debian/Fedora advisories are referenced.

Likely exposure

Exposure is likely limited to systems running Linux kernels containing the regression introduced by commit f5c7310ac73e and not yet carrying the stable fixes. Distribution kernels may differ, so validate through Debian, Fedora, Siemens, or other vendor advisories rather than upstream version strings alone.

Exploitation context

No cited source states active exploitation, and CISA KEV status is false in the provided data. The issue occurs during kernel command-line initialization, so practical exploitation likely depends on whether an attacker can influence boot parameters or related early-boot inputs. Public impact details are incomplete.

Researcher notes

The core condition is a size mismatch between allocation and copied strings in init/main.c. Public data lacks CVSS, CWE, exploitability analysis, and concrete attack prerequisites. Avoid assuming remote exploitability. Focus validation on commit presence, downstream backports, and whether boot command-line inputs are attacker-influenced.

Mitigation direction

  • Apply vendor or distribution kernel updates that include the referenced stable kernel fixes.
  • Review Debian LTS, Fedora, Siemens, and relevant appliance vendor advisories for affected packages.
  • Prioritize internet-facing, multi-tenant, or safety-sensitive Linux systems after vendor confirmation.
  • If no vendor fix is available, monitor vendor guidance and reduce unauthorized boot-parameter control.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Linux kernel versions and vendor package revisions across servers, cloud images, and appliances.
  • Check whether installed kernels include the stable commits referenced for CVE-2024-26988.
  • Compare distribution package status against Debian LTS and Fedora advisories.
  • Review embedded and industrial products against Siemens advisories where applicable.
  • Confirm patched systems rebooted into the updated kernel, not only installed the package.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
12

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.

ATT&CK lookup starting points

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CVE-2024-26988 mapping review

Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Unknown
CVSS
Not scored
Known Exploited
No
Published
Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

0CVSS vectors
3Timeline events
3ADP providers
13Source links

SSVC decision data

CISA-ADPCISA Coordinator
Timestamp
Version
2.0.3
Exploitation: noneAutomatable: noTechnical Impact: partial

Vulnerability timeline

Timeline events are normalized from CVE metadata, CNA source timelines, ADP timelines, and KEV metadata when present.

  1. CVE reservedCVE Program

    The CVE ID was reserved by the assigning CNA.

  2. CVE publishedCVE Program

    The CVE record was published.

  3. CVE updatedCVE Program

    The CVE record metadata indicates this as the latest update time.

ADP provider summaries

CVECVE Program Container
CISA-ADPCISA ADP Vulnrichment
other:ssvc
siemens-SADPADP container
Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinuxf5c7310ac73ea270e3a1acdb73d1b4817f11fd67, f5c7310ac73ea270e3a1acdb73d1b4817f11fd67, f5c7310ac73ea270e3a1acdb73d1b4817f11fd67, f5c7310ac73ea270e3a1acdb73d1b4817f11fd67, f5c7310ac73ea270e3a1acdb73d1b4817f11fd67, f5c7310ac73ea270e3a1acdb73d1b4817f11fd67unaffected
LinuxLinux5.1, 0, 5.10.216, 5.15.157, 6.1.88, 6.6.29, 6.8.8, 6.9affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.