Critical Linux Kernel Security Update: Patch 17 for SLE 15 SP5 Fixes 8 High-Risk Vulnerabilities

 

SUSE releases Live Patch 17 for SLE 15 SP5, addressing 8 critical CVEs (CVE-2024-56601, CVE-2024-53208, etc.) with CVSS scores up to 8.5. Learn how to protect your Linux systems from kernel-level exploits and optimize patch deployment.

Why This Update Matters

The Linux kernel is the backbone of enterprise infrastructure, and unpatched vulnerabilities can lead to privilege escalation, remote code execution, or system crashes. This SUSE update (SUSE-SU-2025:02107-1) patches eight high-risk flaws affecting:

• SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 15 SP5

• openSUSE Leap 15.5

• HPC, Micro, and SAP deployments

Key Risks Mitigated:

• CVE-2024-56601 (CVSS 8.5): Kernel memory corruption via inet_create() (bsc#1235231).

• CVE-2024-53208 (CVSS 8.5): Bluetooth MGMT slab-use-after-free exploit (bsc#1236244).

• CVE-2024-50279: DM cache out-of-bounds access during resizing (bsc#1233708).

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Patch Deployment Guide

Affected Products:

• SUSE Linux Enterprise Live Patching 15-SP5

• SUSE Linux Enterprise Real Time 15 SP5

• openSUSE Leap 15.5 (x86_64, ppc64le, s390x)

Installation Methods:

1. Recommended: Use YaST Online Update for automated patching.

2. Manual CLI:

   bash

   # For openSUSE Leap 15.5:
   zypper in -t patch SUSE-2025-2107=1

3. Enterprise Systems:

   bash

   # SUSE Live Patching 15-SP5:
   zypper in -t patch SUSE-SLE-Module-Live-Patching-15-SP5-2025-2107=1

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Technical Deep Dive: Vulnerabilities Fixed

1. Bluetooth Stack Exploits

   • CVE-2024-53208: A set_powered_sync flaw allowed attackers to crash systems via malformed Bluetooth packets.

   • CVE-2024-56605: Dangling sk pointer in L2CAP sockets could lead to privilege escalation.

2. Kernel Memory Corruption

   • CVE-2024-56601: inet_create() mishandled socket cleanup, enabling local attackers to corrupt kernel memory.

3. Filesystem & Cache Risks

   • CVE-2024-50279: DM cache resizing triggered out-of-bounds access in dirty bitsets.

Full CVE List: SUSE Security Portal

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Best Practices for Enterprise Teams

• Test Patches: Deploy updates in staging environments first.

• Monitor Logs: Watch for crashes in dm-cache or Bluetooth services post-update.

• Automate Patching: Use tools like SaltStack or Ansible for large-scale deployments.

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FAQ Section

Q: Is this update mandatory for all SUSE users?

A: Yes, especially for systems using Bluetooth, Docker, or networked services.

Q: How do I verify the patch is active?

A: Run uname -r and check for kernel version 5.14.21-150500_55_73.