CVE-2024-36950: firewire: ohci: mask bus reset interrupts between ISR and bottom half
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
firewire: ohci: mask bus reset interrupts between ISR and bottom half
In the FireWire OHCI interrupt handler, if a bus reset interrupt has
occurred, mask bus reset interrupts until bus_reset_work has serviced and
cleared the interrupt.
Normally, we always leave bus reset interrupts masked. We infer the bus
reset from the self-ID interrupt that happens shortly thereafter. A
scenario where we unmask bus reset interrupts was introduced in 2008 in
a007bb857e0b26f5d8b73c2ff90782d9c0972620: If
OHCI_PARAM_DEBUG_BUSRESETS (8) is set in the debug parameter bitmask, we
will unmask bus reset interrupts so we can log them.
irq_handler logs the bus reset interrupt. However, we can't clear the bus
reset event flag in irq_handler, because we won't service the event until
later. irq_handler exits with the event flag still set. If the
corresponding interrupt is still unmasked, the first bus reset will
usually freeze the system due to irq_handler being called again each
time it exits. This freeze can be reproduced by loading firewire_ohci
with "modprobe firewire_ohci debug=-1" (to enable all debugging output).
Apparently there are also some cases where bus_reset_work will get called
soon enough to clear the event, and operation will continue normally.
This freeze was first reported a few months after a007bb85 was committed,
but until now it was never fixed. The debug level could safely be set
to -1 through sysfs after the module was loaded, but this would be
ineffectual in logging bus reset interrupts since they were only
unmasked during initialization.
irq_handler will now leave the event flag set but mask bus reset
interrupts, so irq_handler won't be called again and there will be no
freeze. If OHCI_PARAM_DEBUG_BUSRESETS is enabled, bus_reset_work will
unmask the interrupt after servicing the event, so future interrupts
will be caught as desired.
As a side effect to this change, OHCI_PARAM_DEBUG_BUSRESETS can now be
enabled through sysfs in addition to during initial module loading.
However, when enabled through sysfs, logging of bus reset interrupts will
be effective only starting with the second bus reset, after
bus_reset_work has executed.
Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2024-36950 is a Linux kernel FireWire driver flaw that can freeze a system. It requires local, highly privileged control and a specific FireWire OHCI debug configuration. Business impact is mainly availability, not data theft or privilege escalation based on the provided sources.
Executive priority
Treat as routine-to-priority patching for servers or workstations using FireWire. Escalate only for systems where availability is critical and FireWire OHCI debugging may be enabled.
Technical view
In firewire_ohci, bus reset interrupts could remain unmasked after the interrupt handler exits while the event flag stays set. With OHCI_PARAM_DEBUG_BUSRESETS enabled, repeated interrupt handling can freeze the system. The kernel fix masks bus reset interrupts until bus_reset_work services and clears the event.
Likely exposure
Exposure is limited to Linux systems using the FireWire OHCI driver, especially where debug bus reset logging is enabled. Systems without FireWire OHCI use, or not running affected kernel builds, are unlikely to be exposed.
Exploitation context
The CVSS vector is local, low complexity, high privileges, no user interaction, and high availability impact. CISA KEV is not indicated in the provided data, and no cited source states active exploitation.
Researcher notes
The issue traces to behavior introduced by commit a007bb857e0b. The fix changes interrupt masking behavior between the ISR and bottom-half work. Evidence supports denial of service only; no confidentiality or integrity impact is described.
Mitigation direction
Update to a vendor kernel containing the referenced stable fixes.
Apply relevant Debian LTS kernel updates where applicable.
Avoid enabling firewire_ohci all-debug or bus-reset debug logging until patched.
Follow distribution-specific advisories for backported fixed kernel versions.
Validation and detection
Inventory Linux kernel versions and compare against vendor fixed releases.
Check whether FireWire OHCI hardware and firewire_ohci are present or used.
Review whether FireWire OHCI debug bus reset logging is enabled.
Confirm installed kernel includes the relevant stable commit or vendor backport.
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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