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PatchSiren cyber security CVE debrief

CVE-2024-42090 Linux CVE debrief

A deadlock vulnerability exists in the Linux kernel's pinctrl subsystem within the create_pinctrl() function. The issue arises from improper mutex handling when add_setting() returns -EPROBE_DEFER, causing create_pinctrl() to call pinctrl_free() while still holding pinctrl_maps_mutex. Since pinctrl_free() attempts to acquire the same mutex, this creates a classic lock-order violation resulting in potential deadlock. This vulnerability affects Siemens SIMATIC S7-1500 TM MFP industrial control systems running the GNU/Linux subsystem. The CVSS 3.1 score of 5.5 (MEDIUM) reflects local attack vector with low attack complexity, requiring low privileges but no user interaction, resulting in high availability impact. No confidentiality or integrity impacts are associated with this vulnerability.

Vendor
Linux
Product
SIMATIC S7-1500 TM MFP - GNU/Linux subsystem
CVSS
MEDIUM 5.5
CISA KEV
Not listed in stored evidence
Original CVE published
2024-04-09
Original CVE updated
2026-05-14
Advisory published
2024-04-09
Advisory updated
2026-05-14

Who should care

System administrators and security engineers responsible for Siemens SIMATIC S7-1500 TM MFP deployments in industrial environments, OT security teams managing PLC and industrial automation infrastructure, and organizations operating critical infrastructure with embedded Linux subsystems in industrial control devices.

Technical summary

The vulnerability exists in the kernel's pin control (pinctrl) subsystem. The create_pinctrl() function acquires pinctrl_maps_mutex before invoking add_setting(). When add_setting() returns -EPROBE_DEFER (indicating a driver probe deferral), create_pinctrl() proceeds to call pinctrl_free() for cleanup. However, pinctrl_free() internally attempts to acquire pinctrl_maps_mutex, which is already held by the calling create_pinctrl() function. This creates a recursive mutex acquisition scenario that results in deadlock. The -EPROBE_DEFER return code is commonly used in the Linux driver model to indicate that a driver cannot proceed due to missing dependencies, with the expectation that probing will be retried later. The improper cleanup path in this error handling case fails to release the mutex before calling the free function.

Defensive priority

medium

Recommended defensive actions

  • Restrict interactive shell access to the GNU/Linux subsystem to trusted personnel only
  • Ensure only applications from trusted sources are built and executed on affected systems
  • Monitor for vendor security updates from Siemens for patch availability
  • Apply defense-in-depth strategies for industrial control system environments per CISA guidance
  • Review and implement ICS-CERT recommended practices for securing industrial control systems

Evidence notes

The vulnerability description is sourced from CISA CSAF advisory ICSA-24-102-01, which references Siemens security advisory SSA-265688. The CVSS vector CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H is provided in the source advisory. The affected product is confirmed as SIMATIC S7-1500 TM MFP - GNU/Linux subsystem per the CSAF product tree. No known exploitation in the wild has been reported, and this vulnerability is not listed in CISA KEV.

Sources and references

Verified primary and authoritative sources

  • CVE-2024-42090 CVE Program record

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2024-42090

    CVE Program - Official CVE Program record with source-provided CVE metadata.

  • CVE-2024-42090 NVD vulnerability detail

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-42090

    NIST National Vulnerability Database - Official NIST NVD detail page and source-specific vulnerability assessment.

Supplemental references

  • Source item URL

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/cisagov/CSAF/develop/csaf_files/OT/white/2024/icsa-24-102-01.json

    cisa_csaf

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/csaf/ssa-265688.json

    Reference

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/html/ssa-265688.html

    Reference

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/ics-advisories/icsa-24-102-01

    Reference

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/ics-alerts/ics-alert-10-301-01

    Reference

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://www.cisa.gov/resources-tools/resources/ics-recommended-practices

    Reference

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://www.cisa.gov/topics/industrial-control-systems

    Reference

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://www.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/recommended_practices/NCCIC_ICS-CERT_Defense_in_Depth_2016_S508C.pdf

    Reference

Methodology and review provenance

AI-assisted synthesis based on stored public vulnerability evidence. System validation, approval state, and publication status do not by themselves establish human review of this revision. PatchSiren helps prioritize defensive review and does not prove exposure or remediation on any system.