CVE-2024-26711

What it actually does

Uninitialized members in the clk_init_data struct can result in use of indeterminate values when configuring the AD4130 internal clock output on the CLK pin, leading to unpredictable kernel behavior or memory corruption.

Why it matters to the business

Devices using the AD4130 ADC in the Linux kernel may experience instability, failed clock configuration, or crashes, disrupting operations on affected hardware until patched kernels are deployed.

How an attack unfolds

An attacker with the ability to trigger exposure of the internal clock (via driver interaction or device configuration) can cause the kernel to operate on uninitialized data, potentially resulting in crashes or undefined behavior; no widespread exploitation has been observed.

How to fix it

Update the Linux kernel to a version containing commit 0e0dab37750926d4fb0144edb1c1ea0612fea273 or later; rebuild and deploy the fixed kernel on affected systems.

How to confirm the fix worked

Verify the running kernel source contains the zero-initialization change for clk_init_data in the ad4130 driver; test clock output functionality on AD4130 hardware after upgrade.

Typical attack path

1. Identify systems running vulnerable kernel versions with the AD4130 driver enabled
2. Gain access to trigger clock initialization through user-space interfaces or hardware configuration
3. Cause the driver to use the partially initialized clk_init_data struct
4. Trigger kernel instability or corruption through the uninitialized members

How to detect it

Review kernel logs for oops, warnings, or clock-related errors during AD4130 initialization; inspect driver source for the missing zero-initialization of clk_init_data.

What your security team should do

• Prioritize kernel updates for systems exposing AD4130 hardware
• Monitor for kernel oops or crashes related to clock configuration on affected devices
• Apply the fix during the next maintenance window if no immediate exposure exists