Linux Kernel uvcvideo Driver Out-of-Bounds Write Vulnerability (CVE-2024-53104)
Executive & SecOps Summary
SECOPS ASSESSMENTSystems running the Linux kernel with the UVC (USB Video Class) driver enabled
A local attacker can trigger an out-of-bounds write in kernel memory via a malicious USB device, leading to Local Privilege Escalation (LPE) or Kernel Panic (DoS)
Apply the latest stable Linux kernel security patches or blacklist the uvcvideo kernel module if not required
Affected Products & Version Scope
Remediation & Live Workaround Commands
PATCH & WORKAROUND1. Official Patch & Version Upgrade Commands
Update your Linux kernel to the latest stable release provided by your distribution vendor.
# For Ubuntu / Debian-based systems
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install --only-upgrade linux-image-generic -y
# For RHEL / Rocky Linux-based systems
sudo dnf upgrade kernel -y
# Reboot the system to apply changes
sudo reboot
uname -r2. Temporary Workaround & Hardening Configuration
If patching is not immediately feasible, disable the uvcvideo module to mitigate the attack vector on systems that do not require webcams.
# Blacklist the uvcvideo module
echo 'blacklist uvcvideo' | sudo tee /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist-uvcvideo.conf
# Unload the module if currently loaded
sudo rmmod uvcvideo 2>/dev/null || true3. Log Audit & IoC Verification Commands
Inspect system logs for any anomalies or crashes related to the UVC driver.
# Search dmesg and kernel logs for uvcvideo errors
sudo dmesg | grep -Ei 'uvc|usb video'
sudo journalctl -k | grep -Ei 'uvcvideo|general protection fault|unable to handle kernel'Block Kernel Privilege Escalation & Ransomware Payloads Before You Can Reboot
Protect unpatched Windows, Linux, and macOS workloads against in-memory exploitation and lateral movement with autonomous EDR.
Technical Root Cause & Exploitation Mechanics
1. Vulnerability Overview & Root Cause
This vulnerability (CVE-2024-53104) is an out-of-bounds write (CWE-787) located in the UVC (USB Video Class) driver (drivers/media/usb/uvc/uvc_driver.c) of the Linux kernel media subsystem. The root cause lies in uvc_parse_format failing to skip parsing frames of type UVC_VS_UNDEFINED. Because these undefined frames are not accounted for when uvc_parse_streaming calculates the size of the frames buffer, processing them leads to writing data beyond the allocated buffer boundaries.
2. Exploitation Mechanics & Attack Scenario
An attacker with physical access or control over USB virtualization (such as in VM environments with USB passthrough) can emulate a malicious USB device presenting crafted UVC descriptors. When the kernel attempts to parse these descriptors using uvc_parse_format, the unexpected UVC_VS_UNDEFINED frames trigger memory corruption. By carefully structuring the descriptor payload, an attacker can overwrite adjacent kernel heap structures, allowing them to bypass security controls, escalate privileges to root, or crash the system.
3. Infrastructure & Business Impact
With a CVSS score of 7.8 (High) and its inclusion in the CISA KEV catalog, this vulnerability poses a significant threat. It is highly relevant for endpoints, developer workstations, and IoT/Kiosk systems where physical USB ports are exposed. Successful exploitation compromises the entire operating system kernel, leading to complete loss of confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Official Vendor Advisories & References
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: media: uvcvideo: Skip parsing frames of type UVC_VS_UNDEFINED in uvc_parse_format This can lead to out of bounds writes since frames of this type were not taken into account when calculating the size of the frames buffer in uvc_parse_streaming.
Frequently Asked SecOps Questions (CVE-2024-53104)
FAQQ1. How critical is CVE-2024-53104 and is it actively exploited in the wild?
CVE-2024-53104 is rated CVSS 7.8 (HIGH) with a 30-day EPSS exploitation probability of 3.4%. It is listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, requiring immediate emergency remediation.
Q2. Which vendors and products are affected by CVE-2024-53104?
Primary impacted vendors include linux across linux_kernel. Scope summary: Unpatched Linux kernel versions in 5.x and 6.x branches supporting the uvcvideo driver
Q3. What temporary mitigations or workarounds exist for CVE-2024-53104 before patching?
[Mitigation] Apply the latest stable Linux kernel security patches or blacklist the uvcvideo kernel module if not required Follow the CLI remediation commands and interactive SecOps checklist on this page to restrict exposure prior to your maintenance window.
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