The Linux kernel 5.4 branch has officially reached its end-of-life (EOL) with the release of version 5.4.302. This milestone serves as a critical reminder for users to upgrade to more recent kernel versions, as it comes with over 1500 known but unfixed Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs). Despite this concerning statistic, the release includes several important patches aimed at improving system stability and performance by addressing various kernel issues, such as buffer mishandling, memory leaks, and use-after-free situations.
Among the notable fixes in this release is a correction for a buffer mishandling issue in the Pegasus-notetaker driver, which was contributed by developer Seungjin Bae. This fix resolves improper size checking that could lead to significant problems. Additionally, a minor but necessary update was made to the usb_maxpacket() function by removing an outdated parameter, contributing to better code quality and adherence to modern coding standards.
More substantial patches were also included, targeting memory leaks and crashes in device registration routines and addressing double-free errors in the SCSI stack and networking subsystems. Enhancements to socket connection management, particularly with virtual sockets (VSOCK), were implemented to mitigate use-after-free situations, ultimately leading to a more reliable operating experience.
The development community's commitment is evident through the numerous contributions made by developers who submitted patches to rectify specific issues encountered while working with the kernel. These contributions are vital for maintaining overall system stability and performance, underscoring the necessity of ongoing development even as older kernel versions reach their EOL.
The release of version 5.4.302 not only marks the conclusion of the 5.4 branch but also emphasizes the importance of transitioning to newer kernel versions that prioritize security improvements and continued support. As the Linux ecosystem evolves, users are encouraged to stay updated and take advantage of the latest enhancements for a more secure and efficient computing experience.
For those interested, the full source, patch, and PGP signature for Linux kernel version 5.4.302 are available at the following links:
- Full source: [linux-5.4.302.tar.xz](https://cdn.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v5.x/linux-5.4.302.tar.xz)
- Patch: [patch-5.4.302.xz](https://cdn.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v5.x/patch-5.4.302.xz)
- PGP Signature: [linux-5.4.302.tar.sign](https://cdn.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v5.x/linux-5.4.302.tar.sign)
A summary of the changes can be viewed at: [v5.4.302 Summary](https://git.kernel.org/stable/ds/v5.4.302/v5.4.301)
Among the notable fixes in this release is a correction for a buffer mishandling issue in the Pegasus-notetaker driver, which was contributed by developer Seungjin Bae. This fix resolves improper size checking that could lead to significant problems. Additionally, a minor but necessary update was made to the usb_maxpacket() function by removing an outdated parameter, contributing to better code quality and adherence to modern coding standards.
More substantial patches were also included, targeting memory leaks and crashes in device registration routines and addressing double-free errors in the SCSI stack and networking subsystems. Enhancements to socket connection management, particularly with virtual sockets (VSOCK), were implemented to mitigate use-after-free situations, ultimately leading to a more reliable operating experience.
The development community's commitment is evident through the numerous contributions made by developers who submitted patches to rectify specific issues encountered while working with the kernel. These contributions are vital for maintaining overall system stability and performance, underscoring the necessity of ongoing development even as older kernel versions reach their EOL.
The release of version 5.4.302 not only marks the conclusion of the 5.4 branch but also emphasizes the importance of transitioning to newer kernel versions that prioritize security improvements and continued support. As the Linux ecosystem evolves, users are encouraged to stay updated and take advantage of the latest enhancements for a more secure and efficient computing experience.
For those interested, the full source, patch, and PGP signature for Linux kernel version 5.4.302 are available at the following links:
- Full source: [linux-5.4.302.tar.xz](https://cdn.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v5.x/linux-5.4.302.tar.xz)
- Patch: [patch-5.4.302.xz](https://cdn.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v5.x/patch-5.4.302.xz)
- PGP Signature: [linux-5.4.302.tar.sign](https://cdn.kernel.org/pub/linux/kernel/v5.x/linux-5.4.302.tar.sign)
A summary of the changes can be viewed at: [v5.4.302 Summary](https://git.kernel.org/stable/ds/v5.4.302/v5.4.301)
Linux Kernel 5.4.302 released
The Linux kernel 5.4 branch has reached its end-of-life (EOL) milestone with the release of version 5.4.302, which brings over 1500 known unfixed Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs). Despite this, the update includes important fixes for various parts of the kernel, addressing issues such as buffer mishandling, memory leaks, and use-after-free situations. These patches were contributed by developers to improve system stability and performance and highlight the ongoing effort to keep the Linux ecosystem reliable.
