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CVE Record

CVE-2024-38388: ALSA: hda/cs_dsp_ctl: Use private_free for control cleanup

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ALSA: hda/cs_dsp_ctl: Use private_free for control cleanup Use the control private_free callback to free the associated data block. This ensures that the memory won't leak, whatever way the control gets destroyed. The original implementation didn't actually remove the ALSA controls in hda_cs_dsp_control_remove(). It only freed the internal tracking structure. This meant it was possible to remove/unload the amp driver while leaving its ALSA controls still present in the soundcard. Obviously attempting to access them could cause segfaults or at least dereferencing stale pointers.

LowCVSS 3.3Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysislow

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This is a low-severity Linux kernel audio-driver flaw. A local user could trigger stale ALSA sound controls after an amplifier driver is removed, potentially causing a crash or limited availability impact. It does not indicate remote compromise, data theft, or privilege escalation in the provided sources.

Executive priority

Handle through normal patch management, not emergency response. Prioritize exposed Linux endpoints and audio-enabled systems, but the business risk is limited by local access requirements and low availability impact.

Technical view

The bug is in ALSA hda/cs_dsp_ctl cleanup. The prior removal path freed an internal tracking structure without removing ALSA controls, leaving controls reachable with stale pointers. The fix uses the control private_free callback so associated data is freed when the control is destroyed.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most plausible on Linux systems using the affected ALSA HDA cs_dsp/amp driver path, especially endpoints with relevant audio hardware. Servers without this driver or sound stack are less likely exposed. The source bundle does not provide distribution-specific package names.

Exploitation context

The CVSS vector is local, low complexity, low privileges, no user interaction, and low availability impact. CISA KEV status is false in the bundle, and no cited source reports active exploitation.

Researcher notes

Evidence supports a stale-pointer cleanup issue in ALSA controls after driver removal. The provided affected-version data is incomplete in this prompt, so validation should rely on distribution advisories and the listed upstream stable commits.

Mitigation direction

  • Apply vendor Linux kernel updates containing the referenced stable fixes.
  • Prioritize endpoints using relevant ALSA HDA audio hardware or modules.
  • Check distribution advisories for exact fixed package versions.
  • If patching is delayed, review whether the affected audio driver is needed.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Linux kernel versions against vendor advisories for CVE-2024-38388.
  • Confirm whether ALSA HDA cs_dsp/amp driver components are present or loaded.
  • Verify patched kernels include one of the referenced stable commits.
  • Run standard availability regression tests after kernel updates.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
6

Public sources used

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-2024-38388 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Low
CVSS
3.3 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L

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.

1CVSS vectors
3Timeline events
2ADP providers
5Source links

SSVC decision data

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

CVSS vector scores

1 official score

We collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.

ScoreVersionSeverityVectorExploitImpactSource
3.3CVSS 3.1LowCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L1.81.4CISA-ADP

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

3.3Low
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2024-38388Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L

Attack Vector
NetworkAdjacentLocalPhysical
Attack Complexity
LowHigh
Privileges Required
NoneLowHigh
User Interaction
NoneRequired
Scope
ChangedUnchanged
Confidentiality Impact
HighLowNone
Integrity Impact
HighLowNone
Availability Impact
HighLowNone

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

CISA-ADPCISA ADP Vulnrichment
cvssV3_1other:ssvc
CVECVE Program Container

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinux3233b978af23f11b4ad4f7f11a9a64bd05702b1f, 3233b978af23f11b4ad4f7f11a9a64bd05702b1f, 3233b978af23f11b4ad4f7f11a9a64bd05702b1f, 3233b978af23f11b4ad4f7f11a9a64bd05702b1funaffected
LinuxLinux6.0, 0, 6.1.93, 6.6.33, 6.9.4, 6.10affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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