Kernel memory corruption via invalid stack-buffer free
Published Jul 5, 2024 · Updated Sep 2, 2026
Improper memory deallocation in Linux 6.5 through 6.9.4 allows local users to corrupt kernel memory through StarFive JH7110 RSA operations. The starfive_rsa_enc_core function passes its variable-length rsa_data stack buffer to kfree after processing attacker-controlled RSA text. Any unprivileged local user on an affected JH7110 system can invoke KEYCTL_PKEY operations, enabling kernel disclosure, arbitrary writes, privilege escalation, or a kernel panic.
Summary
What happened
Improper memory deallocation in Linux 6.5 through 6.9.4 allows local users to corrupt kernel memory through StarFive JH7110 RSA operations. The starfive_rsa_enc_core function passes its variable-length rsa_data stack buffer to kfree after processing attacker-controlled RSA text. Any unprivileged local user on an affected JH7110 system can invoke KEYCTL_PKEY operations, enabling kernel disclosure, arbitrary writes, privilege escalation, or a kernel panic.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2024-39478
- Published
- Jul 5, 2024
- Updated
- Sep 2, 2026
- Vendor
- The Linux Kernel Organization
- Product
- Linux
- Classifications
- T1068
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- authenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Jul 5, 2024CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Sep 2, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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Is a vulnerable build present?
Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.
- Affected versionversion=445a4aaf5842073e4130b1d6dbe3785284d9615f <5944de192663f272033501dcd322b008fca72006
- Affected versionversion=445a4aaf5842073e4130b1d6dbe3785284d9615f <bfd861dadd3a45de257b3d328bf49b64a6f9c5f1
- Affected versionversion=445a4aaf5842073e4130b1d6dbe3785284d9615f <d7f01649f4eaf1878472d3d3f480ae1e50d98f6c
- Affected versionversion=6.5
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
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Attacks
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Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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