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CVE Record

CVE-2024-42096: x86: stop playing stack games in profile_pc()

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: x86: stop playing stack games in profile_pc() The 'profile_pc()' function is used for timer-based profiling, which isn't really all that relevant any more to begin with, but it also ends up making assumptions based on the stack layout that aren't necessarily valid. Basically, the code tries to account the time spent in spinlocks to the caller rather than the spinlock, and while I support that as a concept, it's not worth the code complexity or the KASAN warnings when no serious profiling is done using timers anyway these days. And the code really does depend on stack layout that is only true in the simplest of cases. We've lost the comment at some point (I think when the 32-bit and 64-bit code was unified), but it used to say: Assume the lock function has either no stack frame or a copy of eflags from PUSHF. which explains why it just blindly loads a word or two straight off the stack pointer and then takes a minimal look at the values to just check if they might be eflags or the return pc: Eflags always has bits 22 and up cleared unlike kernel addresses but that basic stack layout assumption assumes that there isn't any lock debugging etc going on that would complicate the code and cause a stack frame. It causes KASAN unhappiness reported for years by syzkaller [1] and others [2]. With no real practical reason for this any more, just remove the code. Just for historical interest, here's some background commits relating to this code from 2006: 0cb91a229364 ("i386: Account spinlocks to the caller during profiling for !FP kernels") 31679f38d886 ("Simplify profile_pc on x86-64") and a code unification from 2009: ef4512882dbe ("x86: time_32/64.c unify profile_pc") but the basics of this thing actually goes back to before the git tree.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysisunknown

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2024-42096 is a Linux kernel issue in x86 timer profiling code. The vulnerable code made unsafe assumptions about stack layout, causing KASAN warnings reported by syzkaller. Sources do not provide CVSS, confirmed exploitability, or business impact, so urgency depends on kernel exposure and vendor package status.

Executive priority

Track and patch through normal kernel update governance. Escalate only for high-value, multi-tenant, or vendor-confirmed affected appliances because sources do not show exploitation or severity scoring.

Technical view

The Linux x86 profile_pc() routine tried to attribute spinlock profiling time to callers by reading stack values based on fragile layout assumptions. Kernel maintainers removed that code because lock debugging and other frames can invalidate those assumptions. The fix is represented by multiple stable kernel commits.

Likely exposure

Exposure is likely limited to systems running affected Linux kernel versions on x86 where the vulnerable profile_pc() implementation is present. Appliances using embedded Linux may also be affected if vendor advisories list their products.

Exploitation context

The bundle cites KASAN findings and syzkaller reports, but does not cite active exploitation, public weaponization, KEV listing, or a practical attack path. Treat this as an unresolved kernel maintenance exposure until vendor guidance clarifies impact.

Researcher notes

Evidence supports a kernel x86 stack-layout bug fixed by removing profile_pc() logic. Missing evidence includes CVSS, CWE, precise exploit impact, and confirmed attack preconditions. Do not infer remote exploitability from the available sources.

Mitigation direction

  • Inventory Linux kernel versions across servers, endpoints, containers hosts, and appliances.
  • Apply fixed kernel updates from your OS or device vendor.
  • Review Debian LTS and Siemens advisories if those platforms are in use.
  • Prioritize internet-facing or multi-tenant Linux hosts for patch scheduling.
  • Check vendor guidance where no packaged fix is yet available.

Validation and detection

  • Confirm each asset's running kernel version and architecture.
  • Map versions against the CVE record and vendor advisories.
  • Verify installed kernel packages include the relevant stable fixes.
  • Reboot systems where required so the fixed kernel is active.
  • Document exceptions for appliances awaiting vendor firmware updates.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
12

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-2024-42096 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
3ADP providers
12Source 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
siemens-SADPADP container
Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinux1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2, 1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2, 1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2, 1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2, 1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2, 1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2, 1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2, 1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2unaffected
LinuxLinux2.6.12, 0, 4.19.317, 5.4.279, 5.10.221, 5.15.162, 6.1.97, 6.6.37, 6.9.8, 6.10affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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