CVE-2024-0213 is a high severity (CVSS 8.2) buffer overflow in the Trellix Agent (TA) service on Linux and macOS, which runs as root. A local user could gain elevated permissions or crash the service. Versions before 5.8.1 are affected, so upgrade to 5.8.1 or later.
What's affected
The record says TA for Linux and TA for macOS prior to version 5.8.1 are affected. The fixed version is therefore 5.8.1 or later. The record also states that the memory corruption in the TA service can lead to disabling of event reporting to ePO, because input from a file is not validated correctly.
We could not fetch Trellix bulletin SB10416 (our connection was refused), so the details above come from the record. Check the bulletin for any build specific notes.
How to check if you're exposed
Check the agent version on each Linux and macOS host that reports to ePO. The ePO console can list agent versions across managed systems, which is the quickest way to find anything below 5.8.1. If a host is unmanaged or has not checked in, check it directly using the agent's own version output or its package record.
On Linux, ask your package manager what is installed. For RPM based systems, rpm -qa | grep -i -E 'mfe|trellix' lists related packages, and on Debian systems dpkg -l | grep -i -E 'mfe|trellix' does the same. Package names vary by release, so treat these as a starting search, not a definitive check.
Pay particular attention to servers where several people have shell access, since the flaw needs a local user. A silent loss of event reporting is also worth watching for: if agents stop reporting, you lose visibility on exactly the machines you are trying to protect.
What to do now
- List Trellix Agent versions for all Linux and macOS systems in ePO.
- Read Trellix bulletin SB10416 for the fixed package and deployment notes.
- Deploy Trellix Agent 5.8.1 or later to affected hosts, starting with multi-user servers.
- Verify that updated hosts report the new version and that event reporting to ePO is healthy.
- Restrict local shell access on hosts that have to wait for the update.
Why it matters
The weakness class is CWE-120, a buffer copy without checking input size. The record says the TA service reads input from a file without validating it correctly, and that service runs as root. A memory corruption bug in a root process is the textbook route to local privilege escalation, and the record also names denial of service as an outcome.
The record's CVSS vector shows a changed scope (S:C), which reflects that the impact reaches past the agent itself to the operating system. It also needs a user interaction step (UI:R) and low privileges. The record's KEV flag is false and the bulletin text we could read through the record does not claim exploitation.
Management agents are attractive targets because they are installed everywhere and run with high rights. Treat updates to them as part of ordinary patching, not as an optional tool update.
Quick check
What is the fixed version for CVE-2024-0213?
The record says versions prior to 5.8.1 are affected, so 5.8.1 or later. Confirm in Trellix bulletin SB10416.
Does the Windows agent have this problem?
The record names only TA for Linux and TA for macOS, so Windows is not listed as affected.
Sources
- Trellix security bulletin SB10416 (could not be fetched, listed in the record)
- Gold entry for CVE-2024-0213
Last reviewed: 19 October 2026.
