CVE-2024-35868·Kernel vulnerability
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: smb: client: fix potential UAF in cifs_stats_proc_write() Skip sessions that are being teared down (status == SES_EXITING) to avoid UAF.
- Severity
- high
- Software
- Kernel
- Fixed in
- 6.8.5
- Published
How likely is exploitation
FIRST's Exploit Prediction Scoring System puts the probability of this CVE being exploited in the next 30 days at <0.1% — higher than 5% of all published CVEs. EPSS is an independent forecast of exploitation, not a severity rating: it says nothing about how much damage a successful attack does, which is what a CVSS score measures.
Read the two together. CVE-2024-35868 scores 7.8 on CVSS, so a successful attack would be serious — but at <0.1%, almost nobody is currently attempting it. That is a different situation from a flaw under mass exploitation, and it is usually the difference between patching on your next maintenance window and patching tonight.
Affected versions
From: 6.7
Until: 6.8.5
Fixed in: 6.8.5
How to fix this CVE
Update your Linux kernel to version 6.8.5 or later to resolve a use-after-free vulnerability in the CIFS client statistics handler. This flaw could allow a local authenticated attacker to trigger memory corruption by accessing the cifs_stats_proc_write() function while SMB sessions are being terminated. Prioritize this patch if your systems use SMB/CIFS network file sharing.
sudo dnf update kernel kernel-develDefensia detects this vulnerability
How to check if you are affected
- Step 1: Check installed kernel version with: uname -r (must be 6.8.5 or later for the fix)
- Step 2: Verify CIFS client is enabled: grep -i cifs /boot/config-$(uname -r) (look for CONFIG_CIFS=y or CONFIG_CIFS=m)
- Step 3: Search system logs for UAF indicators: sudo dmesg | grep -i 'use.*after.*free\|cifs\|smb' or sudo journalctl -u kernel --grep='cifs'
- Step 4: Confirm the patch is present by checking the commit hash in the running kernel: cat /proc/version and compare against fixed version git commits
FAQ
What is CVE-2024-35868?
This is a use-after-free (UAF) vulnerability in the Linux kernel's CIFS client statistics handler. An authenticated local attacker with low privileges can cause a race condition when SMB sessions are being torn down, potentially leading to memory corruption or denial of service.
Is CVE-2024-35868 being actively exploited?
No, this vulnerability is not currently listed as actively exploited in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, and no public exploits are known.
What versions of Kernel are affected by CVE-2024-35868?
Linux kernel versions 6.7 through 6.8.4 are vulnerable. The fix was released in kernel 6.8.5.
How do I check if my server is vulnerable to CVE-2024-35868?
Run 'uname -r' to check your kernel version. If it shows 6.7.x through 6.8.4, you are vulnerable. Also verify CIFS is compiled in with 'grep CONFIG_CIFS /boot/config-$(uname -r)'.
Does Defensia detect CVE-2024-35868?
Yes — Defensia's CVE advisory scanner compares installed package versions against the NVD database. If Linux kernel is installed on a monitored server, CVE-2024-35868 will appear in your dashboard with remediation steps.
Related Kernel CVEs
References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/5b5475ce69f02ecc1b13ea23106e5b89c690429b
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/8fefd166fcb368c5fcf48238e3f7c8af829e0a72
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/cf03020c56d3ed28c4942280957a007b5e9544f7
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/d3da25c5ac84430f89875ca7485a3828150a7e0a
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/5b5475ce69f02ecc1b13ea23106e5b89c690429b
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