Linux: Use After Free
CVE-2024-50217 is a high-severity use after free vulnerability in Linux, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 out of 10. It can be exploited with local access to the system by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. The record lists versions 47a83f8df39545f3f552bb6a1b6d9c30e37621dd, aec8e6bf839101784f3ef037dcdb9432c3f32343 as the first without the flaw, so updating Linux to one of those releases or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.28% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update Linux to 47a83f8df39545f3f552bb6a1b6d9c30e37621dd or aec8e6bf839101784f3ef037dcdb9432c3f32343, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Update Linux Kernel to 6.11.7 or a later version.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Linux | Linux | 142388194191a3edc9ba01cfcfd8b691e0971fb2 up to, but not including, 47a83f8df39545f3f552bb6a1b6d9c30e37621dd; 142388194191a3edc9ba01cfcfd8b691e0971fb2 up to, but not including, aec8e6bf839101784f3ef037dcdb9432c3f32343; 4.8 | 47a83f8df39545f3f552bb6a1b6d9c30e37621dd, aec8e6bf839101784f3ef037dcdb9432c3f32343 |
| Linux | Linux Kernel | 4.8 up to, but not including, 6.11.7; 6.12 | 6.11.7 |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- LocalThe attacker needs local access or must trick a user into running something.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- LowA basic user account is enough.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.8 | High | CNA |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.8 | High | NVD |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.8 | High | CISA (ADP) |
Official description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: btrfs: fix use-after-free of block device file in __btrfs_free_extra_devids() Mounting btrfs from two images (which have the same one fsid and two different dev_uuids) in certain executing order may trigger an UAF for variable 'device->bdev_file' in __btrfs_free_extra_devids(). And following are the details: 1. Attach image_1 to loop0, attach image_2 to loop1, and scan btrfs devices by ioctl(BTRFS_IOC_SCAN_DEV): / btrfs_device_1 → loop0 fs_device \ btrfs_device_2 → loop1 2. mount /dev/loop0 /mnt btrfs_open_devices btrfs_device_1->bdev_file = btrfs_get_bdev_and_sb(loop0) btrfs_device_2->bdev_file = btrfs_get_bdev_and_sb(loop1) btrfs_fill_super open_ctree fail: btrfs_close_devices // -ENOMEM btrfs_close_bdev(btrfs_device_1) fput(btrfs_device_1->bdev_file) // btrfs_device_1->bdev_file is freed btrfs_close_bdev(btrfs_device_2) fput(btrfs_device_2->bdev_file) 3. mount /dev/loop1 /mnt btrfs_open_devices btrfs_get_bdev_and_sb(&bdev_file) // EIO, btrfs_device_1->bdev_file is not assigned, // which points to a freed memory area btrfs_device_2->bdev_file = btrfs_get_bdev_and_sb(loop1) btrfs_fill_super open_ctree btrfs_free_extra_devids if (btrfs_device_1->bdev_file) fput(btrfs_device_1->bdev_file) // UAF ! Fix it by setting 'device->bdev_file' as 'NULL' after closing the btrfs_device in btrfs_close_one_device().
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Use After Free
The product reuses or references memory after it has been freed. At some point afterward, the memory may be allocated again and saved in another pointer, while the original pointer references a location somewhere within the new allocation. Any operations using the original pointer are no longer valid because the memory belongs to the code that operates on the new pointer.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Choose a language that provides automatic memory management.
- When freeing pointers, be sure to set them to NULL once they are freed. However, the utilization of multiple or complex data structures may lower the usefulness of this strategy.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Patches and release notes
Other references
Recent Use After Free vulnerabilities
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
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- 7.8 High severity
- 7.0 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
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