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CVE Record

CVE-2024-38600: ALSA: Fix deadlocks with kctl removals at disconnection

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ALSA: Fix deadlocks with kctl removals at disconnection In snd_card_disconnect(), we set card->shutdown flag at the beginning, call callbacks and do sync for card->power_ref_sleep waiters at the end. The callback may delete a kctl element, and this can lead to a deadlock when the device was in the suspended state. Namely: * A process waits for the power up at snd_power_ref_and_wait() in snd_ctl_info() or read/write() inside card->controls_rwsem. * The system gets disconnected meanwhile, and the driver tries to delete a kctl via snd_ctl_remove*(); it tries to take card->controls_rwsem again, but this is already locked by the above. Since the sleeper isn't woken up, this deadlocks. An easy fix is to wake up sleepers before processing the driver disconnect callbacks but right after setting the card->shutdown flag. Then all sleepers will abort immediately, and the code flows again. So, basically this patch moves the wait_event() call at the right timing. While we're at it, just to be sure, call wait_event_all() instead of wait_event(), although we don't use exclusive events on this queue for now.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2024-38600 is a Linux kernel ALSA flaw that can deadlock sound-card control handling during device disconnection, especially when the device is suspended. The main business impact is availability: affected systems may hang in this subsystem and require recovery. No source in the bundle shows active exploitation.

Executive priority

Treat this as a routine-to-priority kernel availability fix, not an emergency internet-facing threat based on the provided evidence. Patch through normal kernel maintenance, with higher priority for workstations, kiosks, appliances, or systems dependent on stable audio hardware behavior.

Technical view

The issue is in ALSA snd_card_disconnect(). After card->shutdown is set, disconnect callbacks may remove kctl elements while another thread waits in snd_power_ref_and_wait() under card->controls_rwsem. Because sleepers were not woken before callbacks, snd_ctl_remove*() could block on the same lock. The fix wakes all waiters earlier.

Likely exposure

Linux systems using affected kernel versions and ALSA sound-card drivers are the relevant exposure. Practical risk appears highest where sound devices can disconnect while suspended and controls are accessed concurrently. Distribution backports may change exposure, so inventory must use vendor kernel advisory data.

Exploitation context

The provided sources describe a deadlock condition, not a public exploit or active exploitation. CISA KEV status is false in the bundle. The evidence supports availability risk under specific timing and device-state conditions, not remote code execution or privilege escalation.

Researcher notes

Evidence is limited to the CVE record and Linux stable commits. The root cause is lock ordering and wake-up timing around controls_rwsem, power_ref_sleep waiters, kctl removal, and disconnect callbacks. No CVSS, CWE, exploit proof, or distribution-specific fixed package list is provided.

Mitigation direction

  • Identify Linux kernel versions and distribution backport status across endpoints and servers.
  • Prioritize kernel updates that include the referenced ALSA stable fixes.
  • Check vendor or distribution advisories for packaged fixed kernel builds.
  • Reduce exposure to untrusted removable sound hardware where operationally feasible.
  • Plan reboots required for kernel remediation during maintenance windows.

Validation and detection

  • Confirm running kernel versions against vendor advisories and stable fix references.
  • Review package changelogs for CVE-2024-38600 or the ALSA kctl disconnect fix.
  • Check whether systems use ALSA sound-card drivers or removable audio devices.
  • Monitor logs for sound-card disconnect issues or kernel task hang symptoms.
  • Validate patched kernels after reboot with standard fleet compliance checks.
Prepared
Confidence
high
Sources
8

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

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CVE-2024-38600 mapping review

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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
2ADP providers
7Source 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
Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinuxe94fdbd7b25d87e64688bb109e2c550217a4c879, e94fdbd7b25d87e64688bb109e2c550217a4c879, e94fdbd7b25d87e64688bb109e2c550217a4c879, e94fdbd7b25d87e64688bb109e2c550217a4c879, e94fdbd7b25d87e64688bb109e2c550217a4c879, e94fdbd7b25d87e64688bb109e2c550217a4c879unaffected
LinuxLinux5.14, 0, 5.15.161, 6.1.93, 6.6.33, 6.8.12, 6.9.3, 6.10affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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