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

CVE-2024-23301 is fixed in rear on 1 platform, first by rear 2.3+dfsg-1ubuntu0.1~esm1, released January 12, 2024. It is not reported as exploited. Patch Radar priority: Routine.

- Web page: https://patchblox.com/security/cve/CVE-2024-23301
- Priority: Routine
- CVSS: 5.5 (Medium)
- EPSS: 0.0029
- CISA KEV: not listed
- Exploited (vendor report): no
- Publicly disclosed: no
- Published: Jan 12, 2024

## Description

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.

## Where it's fixed

| Platform | Product | Fixed in | Fix | Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linux | rear Debian 11.6 (bullseye) | 2.6+dfsg-1+deb11u1 | [DLA-4400-1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/dla-4400-1.md) | Dec 10, 2025 |
| Linux | rear Debian 12.15 (bookworm) | 2.7+dfsg-1+deb12u1 | [DEBIAN-CVE-2024-23301](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/debian-cve-2024-23301.md) | Jan 12, 2024 |
| Linux | rear Debian 13.5 (trixie) | 2.7+dfsg-1.2 | [DEBIAN-CVE-2024-23301](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/debian-cve-2024-23301.md) | Jan 12, 2024 |
| Linux | rear Debian 14 | 2.7+dfsg-1.2 | [DEBIAN-CVE-2024-23301](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/debian-cve-2024-23301.md) | Jan 12, 2024 |
| Linux | rear RHEL 8 | 0:2.6-11.el8_9 | [RHSA-2024:1719](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/rhsa-2024-1719.md) | Apr 9, 2024 |
| Linux | rear RHEL 9 | 0:2.6-21.el9_3 | [RHSA-2024:1147](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/rhsa-2024-1147.md) | Mar 5, 2024 |
| Linux | rear Ubuntu 18.04.6 LTS (bionic) | 2.3+dfsg-1ubuntu0.1~esm1 | [rear 2.3+dfsg-1ubuntu0.1~esm1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/ubuntu-bionic-rear-2.3-dfsg-1ubuntu0.1-esm1.md) | Jan 12, 2024 |
| Linux | rear Ubuntu 20.04 LTS (focal) | 2.5+dfsg-1ubuntu0.1~esm1 | [rear 2.5+dfsg-1ubuntu0.1~esm1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/ubuntu-focal-rear-2.5-dfsg-1ubuntu0.1-esm1.md) | Jan 12, 2024 |
| Linux | rear Ubuntu 22.04.1 LTS (jammy) | 2.6+dfsg-1+deb11u1build0.22.04.1 | [rear 2.6+dfsg-1+deb11u1build0.22.04.1](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/ubuntu-jammy-rear-2.6-dfsg-1-deb11u1build0.22.04.1.md) | Jan 12, 2024 |
| Linux | rear almalinux 8 | 2.6-11.el8_9.alma.1 | [ALSA-2024:1719](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/alsa-2024-1719.md) | Apr 9, 2024 |
| Linux | rear almalinux 9 | 2.6-21.el9_3.alma | [ALSA-2024:1147](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/alsa-2024-1147.md) | Mar 5, 2024 |
| Linux | rear ol 8 | 0:2.6-11.0.1.el8_9 | [ELSA-2024-1719](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2024-1719.md) | Apr 9, 2024 |
| Linux | rear ol 9 | 0:2.6-21.0.1.el9_3 | [ELSA-2024-1147](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/elsa-2024-1147.md) | Mar 6, 2024 |
| Linux | rear rocky 8 | 0:2.6-11.el8_9 | [RLSA-2024:1719](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/rlsa-2024-1719.md) | May 6, 2024 |

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Data as of 2026-11-08T19:12:23Z UTC. Source: Patchblox Patch Radar (https://patchblox.com/security/patch-radar). Patchblox finds out-of-date software on Windows, macOS and Linux and updates it through release rings: https://patchblox.com/demo

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