6 Key Steps & Tools

Key Takeaways

• Linux security vulnerabilities can lead to unauthorized access, system crashes, and data breaches.
• Timely patching is critical — delaying updates leaves systems exposed to known exploits.
• Automated patching solutions like KernelCare Enterprise enable seamless, rebootless patching, ensuring vulnerabilities are addressed without downtime.
• Following best practices, such as least privilege access, log monitoring, and configuring Linux firewalls can significantly reduce security risks.

Linux operating systems are considered quite secure; however, they are not free from vulnerabilities. In fact, no software is 100% vulnerability-free – vulnerabilities appear and that’s just how software works. So how can you secure your Linux systems from vulnerabilities effectively?

This guide will walk you through key steps and essential tools to harden your Linux environment against common threats.

What Are Linux Security Vulnerabilities?

Linux security vulnerabilities are weaknesses in the operating system that attackers can exploit to gain unauthorized access, disrupt services, or compromise data. These flaws can arise from various sources, including:

• Outdated software: Unpatched vulnerabilities in applications and system components.
• Misconfigurations, such as weak authentication, open or unnecessary ports, incorrect file permissions, and insecurely configured services.
• Kernel-level security bugs: Flaws within the Linux kernel that can have severe consequences.
• Supply chain vulnerabilities: Vulnerabilities introduced via compromised software libraries or other components.
• Zero-day vulnerabilities: Previously unknown vulnerabilities that attackers exploit before a patch is available.

Common Linux vulnerability threats include privilege escalation, remote code execution (RCE), arbitrary code execution, and denial-of-service (DoS) attacks. Threat actors leverage these vulnerabilities to steal sensitive information or take control of systems. Therefore, addressing these vulnerabilities is crucial to preventing risks and maintaining a secure Linux environment.

The Long-Term Impact of Linux Vulnerabilities on Your Network

Linux vulnerabilities don’t just cause immediate system issues — they can have lasting consequences for your entire network. If a single server remains unpatched, attackers can exploit it as a foothold, gradually spreading through your infrastructure. This can lead to persistent data theft, stealthy malware infections, and disruptions to critical business operations.

The longer a vulnerability remains unaddressed, the greater the risks. Financial losses from downtime, regulatory fines for compliance failures, and reputational damage can all pile up. Additionally, recovering from a prolonged security incident can drain valuable resources and affect business continuity. By addressing Linux vulnerabilities proactively, you’re not just protecting individual systems — you’re securing your entire network infrastructure.

How Many Known Vulnerabilities Are There in Linux?

Vulnerabilities in Linux continue to surface-from the kernel to some of the widely used system utilities. Therefore, the number of known Linux vulnerabilities only keep increasing with time. The Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) database tracks these Linux security flaws, with thousands of them reported each year.

In 2024 alone, over 3,600 CVEs were recorded for the Linux kernel itself. And in this year 2025, more than 1100 kernel vulnerabilities have already been recorded in just two months.

While there are lots of known Linux vulnerabilities, not all vulnerabilities carry equal risks. The CVSS (Common Vulnerability Scoring System) helps assess the severity of each vulnerability. Administrators can use CVSS score to prioritize patching critical vulnerabilities first and minimize the risks effectively.

7 Recently Discovered Linux Security Vulnerabilities

Exploiting Linux security flaws can lead to unauthorized access, remote code execution, or service disruptions, posing serious security risks. Below are some of the recent vulnerabilities affecting Linux systems that highlight the need for timely patching.

CVE-2024-1086

A use-after-free vulnerability was discovered in the Linux kernel’s Netfilter (nf_tables) subsystem, specifically in the nft_verdict_init() function. The issue arises because it allows certain positive values to be interpreted as a drop error within the hook verdict. As a result, the nf_hook_slow() function can trigger a double-free vulnerability when NF_DROP is issued with a drop error that resembles NF_ACCEPT. This flaw in the nf_tables component could be exploited by attackers to escalate local privileges.

CVSS v3 Score: 7.8 High

CVE-2024-42159

A vulnerability was discovered in the mpi3mr driver of the Linux kernel, specifically in the mpi3mr_sas_port_add() function. The issue arises due to missing validation checks, allowing values larger than the intended size of the num_phys field in the mr_sas_node structure. This can lead to memory corruption or system crashes if the field is overwritten incorrectly. Attackers could potentially exploit this flaw to cause system instability or unexpected behavior in affected environments.

CVSS v3 Score: 7.8 High

CVE-2023-3268

A vulnerability was discovered in the Linux kernel’s relayfs subsystem, where improper buffer calculations in relay_file_read_start_pos could lead to an out-of-bounds memory access. This flaw allows a local attacker to cause a system crash (denial of service) or leak sensitive kernel memory. Exploiting this vulnerability could expose internal kernel information, increasing the risk of further attacks.

CVSS v3 Score: 7.1 High

CVE-2024-27397

A use-after-free vulnerability was discovered in the Netfilter (nf_tables) subsystem of the Linux kernel, affecting how element timeouts are handled. The flaw occurs when a user triggers an element timeout while a transaction is still in progress, leading to memory access issues. This could allow a local attacker to crash the system or escalate privileges.

CVSS v3 Score: 7.0 High

CVE-2024-33599

A stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability was identified in the glibc netgroup cache, which could allow attackers to cause a denial of service (DoS) or execute arbitrary code. By carefully crafting input data, an attacker could manipulate the program’s control flow, leading to unintended behavior such as arbitrary code execution, privilege escalation, or application crashes. Since this issue affects nscd (Name Service Cache Daemon) — a critical system component — successful exploitation could result in unauthorized access to sensitive information or service disruptions.

CVSS v3 Score: 7.6 High

CVE-2024-2961

An out-of-bounds write vulnerability was discovered in the ISO-2022-CN-EXT plugin of glibc’s iconv library. The flaw occurs because iconv fails to properly check memory boundaries when handling escape sequences for charset changes. This leads to a buffer overflow, allowing an attacker to write up to three bytes beyond the allocated memory. An attacker could craft a malicious character sequence to exploit this flaw, potentially achieving remote code execution (RCE).

CVSS v3 Score: 8.8 High

CVE-2024-53104

A security flaw was identified in the USB Video Class (UVC) driver in the Linux kernel, which could allow an attacker to modify system memory or execute arbitrary code. The issue occurs because the driver does not properly allocate memory for all possible frame formats in a video stream. If a USB video device processes a stream containing undefined frame formats, it can lead to an out-of-bounds write, potentially causing system instability or privilege escalation.

CVSS v3 Score: 7.8 High

6 Best Practices for Securing Your Linux System

Linux vulnerabilities will always exist, but we can shrink the window of risk by taking a proactive approach. This includes implementing Linux best security practices that can help you strengthen your system’s security.

1. Keep Your System and Software Updated

New software updates may also include security fixes for known vulnerabilities. This is why staying on top of updates is the most important step in securing your system. You can use package managers like APT (Debian/Ubuntu) or YUM/DNF (RHEL-based distros) to install the latest updates and keep your system current.

2. Probe Your Systems

Regular vulnerability scans help identify vulnerabilities affecting your systems so you can fix them in time. Using a vulnerability scanner like Radar allows you to detect security flaws in your Linux systems faster and take action sooner before attackers can exploit them. Continuous monitoring ensures you can address risks promptly and keep your systems secure.

3. Implement Least Privilege Access Control

Giving users only the permissions they need helps in reducing the system’s exposure. By following the Principle of Least Privilege (PoLP), you limit the damage potential of any compromised account. You can also configure security features like SELinux or AppArmor for added protection.

4. Enable Firewall

A properly configured firewall is your first line of defense against unauthorized access. You can use UFW (Uncomplicated Firewall) for Ubuntu or firewalld for RHEL-based distros to control incoming and outgoing network traffic. Additionally, disabling unnecessary network services and using intrusion detection systems (IDS) like Snort or OSSEC can help monitor suspicious activity.

5. Use Strong Authentication

Enhance security by enforcing strong passwords and multi-factor authentication (MFA) for SSH access and system logins. Use SSH key-based authentication instead of passwords and disable root login over SSH.

6. Monitor Logs and Enable Security Auditing

Regular log monitoring can help detect suspicious activity early. Use log management tools like rsyslog, journald, or ELK Stack (Elasticsearch, Logstash, Kibana) to analyze logs effectively. Implement Linux security auditing tools like auditd to track system events and potential security breaches.

How TuxCare Can Help Mitigate Linux Vulnerabilities

TuxCare streamlines Linux vulnerability management with rebootless patching solutions that apply critical security fixes without downtime or disruptions. Unlike traditional patching, which requires a system reboot, KernelCare Enterprise enables the automated deployment of security patches to a running kernel.

Rebootless Kernel Patching

KernelCare Enterprise provides automated, rebootless patching for enterprise Linux distributions. It applies critical kernel security fixes without the need for system reboots or scheduled maintenance windows. This ensures your infrastructure remains protected against known vulnerabilities without impacting uptime.

TuxCare ePortal offers a centralized web interface for managing live patches across multiple systems. It allows IT teams to track, apply, and manage KernelCare Enterprise patches from a single interface.

Rebootless Patching for Shared Libraries

Vulnerabilities in glibc and OpenSSL can expose critical security risks. LibCare, an add-on to KernelCare Enterprise, delivers automated, rebootless patching for essential libraries like OpenSSL and glibc.

Ensuring Compliance Without Downtime

Industries like finance, healthcare, and government must comply with strict security standards, including PCI DSS, HIPAA, and ISO 27001. These regulations mandate timely patching, but traditional methods often disrupt operations. TuxCare eliminates patching-related downtime, helping organizations maintain compliance, uptime, and security simultaneously.

Protect Your Linux System Today with TuxCare

Linux vulnerabilities can expose your infrastructure to serious security breaches, downtime, and compliance risks. Therefore, it is critical to patch the vulnerabilities in time and avoid potential risks. However, keeping systems patched doesn’t have to mean downtime. With TuxCare’s patching solutions, you can apply security fixes without reboots or downtime, ensuring continuous protection and compliance.

Learn how KernelCare Enterprise keeps your infrastructure secure with automated, rebootless patching. Explore our Ultimate Guide to Linux Patch Management to strengthen your defenses even further and learn more about patching best practices for Linux security.

Summary

Article Name

How to Secure Linux from Vulnerabilities: 6 Key Steps & Tools

Description

Understand the Linux security vulnerabilities and learn how to protect your system. Follow our expert tips to prevent attacks and ensure your Linux environment is secure.

Author

Rohan Timalsina

Publisher Name

TuxCare

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