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CVE Record

CVE-2024-38605: ALSA: core: Fix NULL module pointer assignment at card init

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ALSA: core: Fix NULL module pointer assignment at card init The commit 81033c6b584b ("ALSA: core: Warn on empty module") introduced a WARN_ON() for a NULL module pointer passed at snd_card object creation, and it also wraps the code around it with '#ifdef MODULE'. This works in most cases, but the devils are always in details. "MODULE" is defined when the target code (i.e. the sound core) is built as a module; but this doesn't mean that the caller is also built-in or not. Namely, when only the sound core is built-in (CONFIG_SND=y) while the driver is a module (CONFIG_SND_USB_AUDIO=m), the passed module pointer is ignored even if it's non-NULL, and card->module remains as NULL. This would result in the missing module reference up/down at the device open/close, leading to a race with the code execution after the module removal. For addressing the bug, move the assignment of card->module again out of ifdef. The WARN_ON() is still wrapped with ifdef because the module can be really NULL when all sound drivers are built-in. Note that we keep 'ifdef MODULE' for WARN_ON(), otherwise it would lead to a false-positive NULL module check. Admittedly it won't catch perfectly, i.e. no check is performed when CONFIG_SND=y. But, it's no real problem as it's only for debugging, and the condition is pretty rare.

HighCVSS 8.8Not KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2024-38605 is a Linux kernel ALSA sound subsystem flaw where some sound driver modules may not be reference-counted correctly. In the affected configuration, a module could be removed while code tied to it is still executing, creating a serious stability and integrity risk.

Executive priority

Treat as a high-priority Linux kernel maintenance item, especially for fleets using audio-capable endpoints or appliances. There is no source-backed evidence of active exploitation, but kernel memory-safety and module lifetime bugs can carry high operational risk.

Technical view

A prior ALSA change moved card->module assignment under an #ifdef MODULE check. When CONFIG_SND is built in but a sound driver is modular, a non-NULL module pointer can be ignored, leaving card->module NULL and breaking open/close module reference handling. The kernel fix restores assignment outside the conditional.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most relevant on Linux systems running affected kernel lines with ALSA enabled and sound drivers built as modules, such as modular USB audio. Confirm exposure against the running kernel configuration and vendor backports rather than version strings alone.

Exploitation context

The provided sources do not show public exploitation or CISA KEV listing. The CVSS vector reports low attack complexity and required privileges, but the source text describes a module-removal race, not a complete exploit path.

Researcher notes

The issue is narrowly tied to ALSA card initialization and module lifetime accounting after commit 81033c6b584b. The source describes a race after module removal when card->module remains NULL. Validate through kernel config and patch provenance, not only the CVE affected-version list.

Mitigation direction

  • Update to a vendor kernel containing the referenced ALSA stable fixes.
  • Prioritize systems with modular ALSA sound drivers or USB audio support.
  • Check distribution advisories for backported fixes on supported kernel packages.
  • If patching is delayed, review whether affected sound driver modules are needed.
  • Avoid direct kernel.org version assumptions on distribution kernels with backports.

Validation and detection

  • Record the running kernel version and distribution package release.
  • Check kernel config for CONFIG_SND and modular sound drivers.
  • Verify vendor advisory or changelog references CVE-2024-38605 or the ALSA fix.
  • Confirm the deployed kernel includes the relevant stable commit for its branch.
  • Review asset inventory for Linux systems exposing ALSA sound functionality.
Prepared
Confidence
high
Sources
9

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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Execution behavior lookup

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cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2024-38605 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
High
CVSS
8.8 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/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.

1CVSS vectors
3Timeline events
2ADP providers
8Source links

SSVC decision data

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

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
8.8CVSS 3.1HighCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H2.85.9CISA-ADP

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

8.8High
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2024-38605Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/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
Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinux81033c6b584b44514cbb16fffc26ca29a0fa6270, 81033c6b584b44514cbb16fffc26ca29a0fa6270, 81033c6b584b44514cbb16fffc26ca29a0fa6270, 81033c6b584b44514cbb16fffc26ca29a0fa6270, 81033c6b584b44514cbb16fffc26ca29a0fa6270, 81033c6b584b44514cbb16fffc26ca29a0fa6270, 81033c6b584b44514cbb16fffc26ca29a0fa6270unaffected
LinuxLinux5.9, 0, 5.10.219, 5.15.161, 6.1.93, 6.6.33, 6.8.12, 6.9.3, 6.10affected
Weakness

CWE details

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