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CVE Record

CVE-2024-38541: of: module: add buffer overflow check in of_modalias()

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: of: module: add buffer overflow check in of_modalias() In of_modalias(), if the buffer happens to be too small even for the 1st snprintf() call, the len parameter will become negative and str parameter (if not NULL initially) will point beyond the buffer's end. Add the buffer overflow check after the 1st snprintf() call and fix such check after the strlen() call (accounting for the terminating NUL char).

CriticalCVSS 9.8Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysiscritical

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

A Linux kernel function can mishandle an output buffer that is too small, allowing a pointer to move beyond the buffer boundary. The supplied record assigns CVSS 9.8, implying potentially severe confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact. However, the bundle does not demonstrate a practical remote attack path or exploitation.

Executive priority

Assign urgent vulnerability-management review because the potential impact is critical, but prioritize deployment using confirmed kernel exposure and workload reachability. Do not interpret the 9.8 score as proof of widespread remote exploitability. Apply supported vendor updates promptly once applicability is verified.

Technical view

In of_modalias(), an undersized buffer can make the length negative after the first snprintf() and advance a non-null pointer beyond the buffer. The correction adds an immediate overflow check and accounts for the terminating NUL in a later check. The issue is classified as CWE-120.

Likely exposure

Potential exposure exists on systems running kernel versions identified by the supplied affected records where device-tree module alias generation reaches the vulnerable buffer condition. The version entries do not clearly define all range boundaries, so kernel and distribution advisories should determine actual exposure. Internet reachability is not established.

Exploitation context

CVE-2024-38541 is not identified as KEV in the supplied bundle, and no supplied source reports active exploitation. Although the provided CVSS vector describes an unauthenticated network attack, the materials do not explain how network-controlled input reaches of_modalias(). Treat exploitability and remote reachability as unconfirmed.

Researcher notes

The source bundle provides multiple stable-branch fixes but an ambiguous affected-version list, including an unexplained “0” entry and repeated commit identifiers. Researchers should map each running kernel to its relevant stable or distribution branch. The supplied evidence establishes the boundary-check defect and correction, but not attacker-controlled reachability, exploitation reliability, or observed attacks.

Mitigation direction

  • Inventory running Linux kernels and compare them with vendor-supported affected-version guidance.
  • Apply the appropriate vendor kernel update containing the relevant stable fix.
  • Prioritize systems where device-tree module alias generation is operationally relevant.
  • Consult Linux distribution advisories where upstream version mapping remains ambiguous.

Validation and detection

  • Confirm the running kernel version and installed kernel package version on each system.
  • Verify the deployed kernel contains the applicable upstream stable correction.
  • After updating, confirm systems are running the intended patched kernel build.
  • Track vendor advisory status rather than relying solely on the ambiguous supplied version list.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
10

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

Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.

cwe · low confidence lookup

CWE-120: Exact CWE lookup

Use the exact CWE identifier as the starting point before reviewing related ATT&CK behavior. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.

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cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2024-38541 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
Critical
CVSS
9.8 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

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

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.

2CVSS vectors
3Timeline events
2ADP providers
11Source links

SSVC decision data

CISA-ADPCISA Coordinator
Timestamp
Version
2.0.3
Exploitation: noneAutomatable: yesTechnical Impact: total

CVSS vector scores

2 official scores

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
9.8CVSS 3.1CriticalCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H3.95.9CISA-ADP
7.8CVSS 3.1HighCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H1.85.9Linux

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

9.8Critical
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2024-38541Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

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

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
LinuxLinuxbc575064d688c8933a6ca51429bea9bc63628d3b, bc575064d688c8933a6ca51429bea9bc63628d3b, bc575064d688c8933a6ca51429bea9bc63628d3b, bc575064d688c8933a6ca51429bea9bc63628d3b, bc575064d688c8933a6ca51429bea9bc63628d3b, bc575064d688c8933a6ca51429bea9bc63628d3b, bc575064d688c8933a6ca51429bea9bc63628d3b, bc575064d688c8933a6ca51429bea9bc63628d3bunaffected
LinuxLinux4.14, 0, 5.4.294, 5.10.238, 5.15.182, 6.1.136, 6.6.33, 6.8.12, 6.9.3, 6.10affected
Weakness

CWE details

CWE-120

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

CWE-120 · source CWE mapping

Buffer Copy without Checking Size of Input ('Classic Buffer Overflow')

Buffer Copy without Checking Size of Input ('Classic Buffer Overflow') represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.

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