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CVE-2024-27078 Siemens CVE debrief

CVE-2024-27078 is a memory leak vulnerability in the Linux kernel's Video4Linux2 Test Pattern Generator (v4l2-tpg) subsystem. The flaw exists in the `tpg_alloc` function where resources allocated within `for` loops are not properly deallocated in error-handling paths. Since `tpg_free` is only called when `tpg_alloc` returns 0, any error path before successful completion results in resource leaks. This vulnerability affects Siemens SIMATIC S7-1500 TM MFP industrial control systems through their GNU/Linux subsystem. The CVSS 3.1 score of 8.8 (HIGH) reflects network attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges required, and high impacts to confidentiality, integrity, and availability—though user interaction is required. CISA published this advisory on April 9, 2024, with multiple updates through September 2025 adding related CVEs. No patch is currently available from Siemens.

Vendor
Siemens
Product
SIMATIC S7-1500 TM MFP - GNU/Linux subsystem
CVSS
HIGH 8.8
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

Operators of Siemens SIMATIC S7-1500 TM MFP systems utilizing the GNU/Linux subsystem; industrial control system security teams; OT/ICS asset owners with embedded Linux environments; organizations implementing defense-in-depth for critical manufacturing infrastructure

Technical summary

The vulnerability resides in `tpg_alloc()` within `drivers/media/common/v4l2-tpg/v4l2-tpg-core.c`. Resources allocated in iterative loops lack proper cleanup on error paths, causing memory leaks. The function only invokes `tpg_free()` on successful return (0), leaving allocated structures unreachable on any failure branch. This affects the GNU/Linux subsystem on Siemens SIMATIC S7-1500 TM MFP, an industrial PC module with embedded Linux capabilities. Attack surface is limited to contexts where the v4l2-tpg module can be triggered, but successful exploitation contributes to memory exhaustion and potential denial of service.

Defensive priority

HIGH

Recommended defensive actions

  • Restrict interactive shell access to the GNU/Linux subsystem to trusted personnel only
  • Build and run only applications from trusted sources
  • Monitor for anomalous memory consumption patterns in affected systems
  • Apply defense-in-depth controls per CISA ICS recommended practices
  • Subscribe to Siemens ProductCERT notifications for patch availability

Evidence notes

Vulnerability confirmed through CISA ICS advisory ICSA-24-102-01 and Siemens security advisory SSA-265688. The issue is rooted in Linux kernel media subsystem code (v4l2-tpg), affecting embedded GNU/Linux environments on industrial control hardware. CVSS vector AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H indicates significant risk despite required user interaction.

Sources and references

Verified primary and authoritative sources

  • CVE-2024-27078 CVE Program record

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2024-27078

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

  • CVE-2024-27078 NVD vulnerability detail

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-27078

    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.