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CVE Record

CVE-2024-50195: posix-clock: Fix missing timespec64 check in pc_clock_settime()

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: posix-clock: Fix missing timespec64 check in pc_clock_settime() As Andrew pointed out, it will make sense that the PTP core checked timespec64 struct's tv_sec and tv_nsec range before calling ptp->info->settime64(). As the man manual of clock_settime() said, if tp.tv_sec is negative or tp.tv_nsec is outside the range [0..999,999,999], it should return EINVAL, which include dynamic clocks which handles PTP clock, and the condition is consistent with timespec64_valid(). As Thomas suggested, timespec64_valid() only check the timespec is valid, but not ensure that the time is in a valid range, so check it ahead using timespec64_valid_strict() in pc_clock_settime() and return -EINVAL if not valid. There are some drivers that use tp->tv_sec and tp->tv_nsec directly to write registers without validity checks and assume that the higher layer has checked it, which is dangerous and will benefit from this, such as hclge_ptp_settime(), igb_ptp_settime_i210(), _rcar_gen4_ptp_settime(), and some drivers can remove the checks of itself.

HighCVSS 7.1Not KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

A local user could supply an invalid time value to a Linux Precision Time Protocol clock. Because the kernel failed to validate it before some drivers wrote hardware registers, the action could corrupt time-related state or disrupt the system. The supplied CVSS score is 7.1, reflecting high integrity and availability impact without disclosed confidentiality impact.

Executive priority

Prioritize remediation for multi-user, industrial, network-timing, and other PTP-dependent Linux systems. Treat it as a high-priority local integrity and availability issue, not an unauthenticated remote compromise. Use normal expedited kernel-patching processes and vendor-supported packages.

Technical view

pc_clock_settime() did not strictly validate timespec64 seconds and nanoseconds before invoking a PTP driver's settime64 handler. Some drivers directly used those fields for hardware-register writes while assuming validation occurred upstream. Stable fixes add timespec64_valid_strict() and return EINVAL for invalid values.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most likely on affected Linux systems using PTP hardware or dynamic PTP clocks. The CVSS vector requires local access and low privileges. The bundle identifies affected releases spanning Linux 2.6.39 through named stable versions including 6.12, but exact distribution-specific status must be confirmed through vendor advisories.

Exploitation context

The supplied record does not indicate CISA KEV listing or active exploitation. No cited source in the bundle claims public exploitation. Exploitation requires local access according to the CVSS vector, reducing internet-facing risk, while potential integrity and availability consequences remain significant on accessible PTP-enabled systems.

Researcher notes

The defect is improper exceptional-condition handling, classified as CWE-754. Driver examples named by the source include hclge, igb i210, and Renesas R-Car Gen4 PTP implementations, but these are examples rather than a complete affected-driver list. The supplied affected-version data is not a precise branch range, so commit or distribution-level verification is necessary.

Mitigation direction

  • Install a vendor-supported kernel containing the applicable stable fix.
  • Check distribution advisories for the corrected package version for each deployed release.
  • Restrict local access and privileges on affected systems until updates are applied.
  • Prioritize PTP-enabled systems and hosts using drivers that directly program clock registers.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory deployed kernel versions and identify systems using PTP clocks or hardware.
  • Confirm vendor package changelogs include the CVE or corresponding stable-kernel fix.
  • Verify patched kernels reject invalid PTP time values with EINVAL in authorized testing.
  • Reboot updated hosts and confirm the corrected kernel is running.
Prepared
Confidence
high
Sources
7

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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ATT&CK lookup starting points

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cwe · low confidence lookup

CWE-754: Exact CWE lookup

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cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2024-50195 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
High
CVSS
7.1 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/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: noTechnical Impact: partial

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
7.1CVSS 3.1HighCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H1.85.2Linux
5.5CVSS 3.1MediumCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H1.83.6CISA-ADP

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

7.1High
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2024-50195Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/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
LinuxLinux0606f422b453f76c31ab2b1bd52943ff06a2dcf2, 0606f422b453f76c31ab2b1bd52943ff06a2dcf2, 0606f422b453f76c31ab2b1bd52943ff06a2dcf2, 0606f422b453f76c31ab2b1bd52943ff06a2dcf2, 0606f422b453f76c31ab2b1bd52943ff06a2dcf2, 0606f422b453f76c31ab2b1bd52943ff06a2dcf2, 0606f422b453f76c31ab2b1bd52943ff06a2dcf2, 0606f422b453f76c31ab2b1bd52943ff06a2dcf2unaffected
LinuxLinux2.6.39, 0, 4.19.323, 5.4.285, 5.10.228, 5.15.169, 6.1.114, 6.6.58, 6.11.5, 6.12affected
Weakness

CWE details

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

CWE-754 · source CWE mapping

Improper Check for Unusual or Exceptional Conditions

Improper Check for Unusual or Exceptional Conditions represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.