CVE-2024-23301: Relax-and-Recover (aka ReaR) through 2.7 creates a world-readable initrd when using GRUB_RESCUE=y

Q: How do I fix CVE-2024-23301?

relax-and-recover: upgrade to newer than 2.7; linux enterprise: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; enterprise linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2024-23301 being exploited?

CVE-2024-23301 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2024-23301 affect?

CVE-2024-23301 affects relax-and-recover, linux enterprise, enterprise linux. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.5). Relax-and-Recover (aka ReaR) through 2.7 creates a world-readable initrd when using GRUB_RESCUE=y. This allows local attackers to gain access to system secrets otherwise only readable by root.

Q: How urgent is CVE-2024-23301?

Priority 35/100. Public exploit reference; On your watchlist

Routine

MEDIUM 5.5WATCHLISTUPGRADEMITIGATEMITIGATE

CVE-2024-23301 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.5) affecting relax-and-recover, linux enterprise, enterprise linux. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Relax-and-Recover (aka ReaR) through 2.7 creates a world-readable initrd when using GRUB_RESCUE=y. This allows local attackers to gain access to system secrets otherwise only readable by root.

Why this priority

Public exploit reference
On your watchlist

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.5 (Medium)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.3% (top 78%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-276
Published	2024-01-12
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: fedoraproject · redhat · relax-and-recover · suse

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2024-01-12 23:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 07:12 UTCUpdated Record last modified

relax-and-recover relax-and-recover UPGRADE

Affected: <= 2.7

Fixed in: newer than 2.7

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy relax-and-recover || rpm -q relax-and-recover || relax-and-recover --version

2. UPGRADE to newer than 2.7 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade relax-and-recover

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade relax-and-recover

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

suse linux enterprise MITIGATE

Affected: 15.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 15.0

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

redhat enterprise linux MITIGATE

Affected: 8.0 · 9.0

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 8.0

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

fedoraproject fedora MITIGATE

Affected: 39

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 39

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2024-23301?

relax-and-recover: upgrade to newer than 2.7; linux enterprise: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation; enterprise linux: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2024-23301 being exploited?

CVE-2024-23301 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2024-23301 affect?

CVE-2024-23301 affects relax-and-recover, linux enterprise, enterprise linux. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.5). Relax-and-Recover (aka ReaR) through 2.7 creates a world-readable initrd when using GRUB_RESCUE=y. This allows local attackers to gain access to system secrets otherwise only readable by root.

How urgent is CVE-2024-23301?

Priority 35/100. Public exploit reference; On your watchlist

References

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