CVE-2024-38543: Linux kernel · lib/test_hmm.c: handle src_pfns and dst_pfns allocation failure
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 5.5 Medium · fixed in 6.8.0-1013.14~22.04.1 : update Linux kernel when convenient.
Data as of 28 Oct 2026, 10:59 UTC
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 6.8.0-1013.14~22.04.1, 6.8.0-1012.14~22.04.1, 6.8.0-1012.13~22.04.1 +18
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:HExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 19 Jun 2024
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponised: no evidence on record.
No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB
Exploited in the wildExploited: no evidence on record.
Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation
Observed by OffSeq MirageSeen by Mirage: no evidence on record.
No attack traffic recorded by OffSeq Mirage sensors
A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 26 Oct 2026.
What to do
Upgrade to a fixed release listed under Affected software.
Patches and advisories
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinuxpkg:deb/ubuntu/linux?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-awspkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-aws?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-azurepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-gcppkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-gcp?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-gkepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-gke?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-ibmpkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-ibm?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Check your own hosts for these packages with threat-finder (opens in a new tab), our free open-source scanner.
Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: lib/test_hmm.c: handle src_pfns and dst_pfns allocation failure The kcalloc() in dmirror_device_evict_chunk() will return null if the physical memory has run out. As a result, if src_pfns or dst_pfns is dereferenced, the null pointer dereference bug will happen. Moreover, the device is going away. If the kcalloc() fails, the pages mapping a chunk could not be evicted. So add a __GFP_NOFAIL flag in kcalloc(). Finally, as there is no need to have physically contiguous memory, Switch kcalloc() to kvcalloc() in order to avoid failing allocations.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2024-38543 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2024-38543 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/c2af060d1c18beaec56351cf9c9bcbbc5af341a3 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/1a21fdeea502658e315bd939409b755974f4fb64 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/65e528a69cb3ed4a286c45b4afba57461c8b5b33 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/ce47e8ead9a72834cc68431d53f8092ce69bebb7 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/3b20d18f475bd17309db640dbe7d7c7ebb5bc2bc (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/c2af060d1c18beaec56351cf9c9bcbbc5af341a3 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-6949-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-6952-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-6955-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-6949-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-6952-2 (opens in a new tab)