Linux Kernel ALSA USB Audio Driver Out-of-Bounds Access Vulnerability (CVE-2024-53197)
Executive & SecOps Summary
SECOPS ASSESSMENTLinux kernel environments utilizing specific USB audio devices such as Creative Extigy and Digidesign Mbox
Connecting a maliciously crafted USB device can trigger an out-of-bounds memory access in the kernel, potentially leading to a Denial of Service (Kernel Panic) or Local Privilege Escalation (LPE)
Apply the latest stable kernel patches from your distribution or blacklist the unused ALSA USB audio kernel module
Affected Products & Version Scope
Remediation & Live Workaround Commands
PATCH & WORKAROUND1. Official Patch & Version Upgrade Commands
Upgrade your Linux kernel to the latest stable version containing the official upstream fix.
# For Ubuntu / Debian-based systems
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install --only-upgrade -y linux-image-generic
# For RHEL / Rocky Linux-based systems
sudo dnf upgrade -y kernel
# Reboot the system to apply the new kernel
sudo reboot2. Temporary Workaround & Hardening Configuration
If patching and rebooting are not immediately feasible, disable the automatic loading of the vulnerable ALSA USB audio module.
# Blacklist the snd-usb-audio module
echo 'blacklist snd-usb-audio' | sudo tee /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist-snd-usb-audio.conf
# Unload the module if it is currently loaded and not in use
sudo modprobe -r snd-usb-audio3. Log Audit & IoC Verification Commands
Inspect system logs for any anomalies or crashes related to USB audio device initialization.
# Check dmesg and kernel logs for USB audio errors or out-of-bounds faults
sudo dmesg | grep -Ei 'usb-audio|Extigy|Mbox|out-of-bounds'
sudo journalctl -k | grep -Ei 'usb_destroy_configuration|general protection fault'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-2024-53197) is an out-of-bounds memory access flaw within the ALSA (Advanced Linux Sound Architecture) USB audio subsystem of the Linux kernel. The root cause lies in the insufficient validation of the configuration count (bNumConfigurations) provided by a connected USB device during initialization. When a bogus device presents a bNumConfigurations value that exceeds the initial allocation size used in usb_get_configuration for dev->config, it leads to out-of-bounds memory access during subsequent operations.
2. Exploitation Mechanics & Attack Scenario
An attacker with physical access or virtual USB pass-through capabilities can plug in a specially crafted USB device designed to emulate a malicious audio interface. When the kernel attempts to parse the device descriptors, the oversized bNumConfigurations value causes a mismatch in the allocated array size. When the device is later disconnected or fails initialization, functions like usb_destroy_configuration attempt to traverse and free memory beyond the allocated boundaries, resulting in kernel memory corruption or a system crash.
3. Infrastructure & Business Impact
Although classified with a Local attack vector (AV:L), this vulnerability poses a significant threat, as evidenced by its inclusion in the CISA KEV list. In environments such as shared virtualization hosts, industrial control systems (ICS), ATMs, or public kiosks where physical USB ports are exposed, this flaw can be leveraged to bypass operating system security controls. Successful exploitation compromises system availability and can potentially allow unauthorized local privilege escalation to root.
Official Vendor Advisories & References
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ALSA: usb-audio: Fix potential out-of-bound accesses for Extigy and Mbox devices A bogus device can provide a bNumConfigurations value that exceeds the initial value used in usb_get_configuration for allocating dev->config. This can lead to out-of-bounds accesses later, e.g. in usb_destroy_configuration.
Frequently Asked SecOps Questions (CVE-2024-53197)
FAQQ1. How critical is CVE-2024-53197 and is it actively exploited in the wild?
CVE-2024-53197 is rated CVSS 7.8 (HIGH) with a 30-day EPSS exploitation probability of 4.1%. It is listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, requiring immediate emergency remediation.
Q2. Which vendors and products are affected by CVE-2024-53197?
Primary impacted vendors include linux across linux_kernel. Scope summary: Linux kernel versions supporting ALSA USB audio devices (specifically Extigy and Mbox drivers) prior to the stable patch releases
Q3. What temporary mitigations or workarounds exist for CVE-2024-53197 before patching?
[Mitigation] Apply the latest stable kernel patches from your distribution or blacklist the unused ALSA USB audio kernel module Follow the CLI remediation commands and interactive SecOps checklist on this page to restrict exposure prior to your maintenance window.
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