Critical Linux Kernel Vulnerabilities Patched for AWS Systems (CVE-2024-8805, CVE-2025-2312)

 

Urgent Linux kernel security update for AWS users fixes critical Bluetooth and CIFS vulnerabilities (CVE-2024-8805, CVE-2025-2312). Learn how to patch, mitigate risks, and protect cloud infrastructure from zero-day exploits.

Published: June 24, 2025 | Last Updated: June 24, 2025

Overview: High-Risk Linux Kernel Flaws in AWS Environments

The Linux kernel for Amazon Web Services (AWS) has been updated to address multiple critical security vulnerabilities, including:

• CVE-2024-8805: Bluetooth driver flaw allowing rogue device pairing and arbitrary code execution.

• CVE-2025-2312: CIFS namespace misconfiguration exposing sensitive data.

These exploits could enable privilege escalation, data breaches, or cloud infrastructure hijacking. Enterprises using Ubuntu Pro or custom kernels must act immediately.

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Detailed Vulnerability Analysis

1. Bluetooth Driver Exploit (CVE-2024-8805)

Discovered by Michael Randrianantenaina, this flaw in the Linux kernel’s Bluetooth stack permits:

• Unauthorized device pairing within physical proximity.

• Remote code execution (RCE) via malformed L2CAP packets.
  Affected Systems: AWS instances with Bluetooth modules (e.g., IoT edge devices).

2. CIFS Namespace Bypass (CVE-2025-2312)

A misconfigured upcall mechanism in the CIFS filesystem allows:

• Cross-tenant data leaks in multi-tenant cloud environments.

• Credential theft via intercepted SMB traffic.

Additional Patched Subsystems

• PowerPC/x86 architecture (Spectre v4 mitigations).

• ACPI/GPU drivers (DMA attack vectors).

• InfiniBand (RDMA side-channel leaks).

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Patch Instructions for Ubuntu AWS Kernels

Step-by-Step Update Guide

1. Run standard update:

   bash

   sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y  

2. Reboot required:

   bash

   sudo reboot  

3. Recompile third-party modules (if applicable):

   bash

   sudo dpkg-reconfigure linux-image-$(uname -r)  

Affected Package Versions

Ubuntu Release	Package Version
22.04 (Jammy)	linux-image-5.15.0-1086-aws
20.04 (Focal)	linux-image-5.15.0-1086-aws-64k

⚠️ Warning: ABI changes necessitate manual recompilation of DKMS modules (e.g., NVIDIA drivers, ZFS).

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Mitigation Strategies for Unpatched Systems

• Disable Bluetooth (if unused):

  bash

  sudo systemctl disable bluetooth  

• Restrict CIFS mounts via nosharesock in /etc/fstab.

• Deploy Ubuntu Pro for extended 10-year security coverage on 25,000+ packages.

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Why This Matters for Cloud Security

• AWS workloads are prime targets for kernel-level exploits.

• Containerized environments (e.g., Kubernetes) are vulnerable to breakout attacks.

• Compliance impact: Unpatched systems fail CIS Benchmark 8.2.1.

Pro Tip: Use AWS Systems Manager Patch Manager to automate updates across EC2 fleets.

FAQ: Linux Kernel Security Updates

Q: How urgent is this update?

A: Critical. CVE-2024-8805 is exploitable over-the-air (OTA).*

Q: Does Ubuntu Pro cover these fixes?

A: Yes, including legacy LTS kernels.

Q: Can I roll back after patching?

A: Not recommended—ABI changes are irreversible.