CVE-2024-36883·Kernel vulnerability
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net: fix out-of-bounds access in ops_init net_alloc_generic is called by net_alloc, which is called without any locking. It reads max_gen_ptrs, which is changed under pernet_ops_rwsem. It is read twice, first to allocate an array, then to set s.len, which is later used to limit the bounds of the array access. It is possible that the array is allocated and another thread is registering a new pernet ops, increments max_gen_ptrs, which is then used to set s.len with a larger than allocated length for the variable array. Fix it by reading max_gen_ptrs only once in net_alloc_generic. If max_gen_ptrs is later incremented, it will be caught in net_assign_generic.
- Severity
- high
- Software
- Kernel
- Fixed in
- 6.8.10
- 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% — in the bottom 1% 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-2024-36883 scores 7.1 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: 6.8.10
Fixed in: 6.8.10
How to fix this CVE
Update your Linux kernel to version 6.8.10 or later to resolve this out-of-bounds memory access vulnerability in network namespace initialization. This fix ensures that kernel data structure bounds are correctly enforced during concurrent pernet operations registration, preventing potential system crashes or privilege escalation. Apply the update immediately through your distribution's package manager.
sudo dnf update kernel kernel-develDefensia detects this vulnerability
How to check if you are affected
- Step 1: Check your kernel version with 'uname -r' and verify if it falls between 6.7 and 6.8.10
- Step 2: Confirm network namespace functionality is active by checking 'cat /proc/sys/net/core/somaxconn' and 'ip netns list'
- Step 3: Search system logs for kernel panic or memory access errors with 'sudo journalctl -b -p err | grep -i "out of bounds\|array\|bounds"'
- Step 4: After patching, verify the new kernel version with 'uname -r' and ensure it is 6.8.10 or later, then reboot if needed
FAQ
What is CVE-2024-36883?
This vulnerability is a race condition in the Linux kernel's network namespace initialization code where concurrent registration of pernet operations can cause the bounds-checking array to be sized incorrectly, leading to out-of-bounds memory access.
Is CVE-2024-36883 being actively exploited?
No, there is no evidence of active exploitation in the wild, and no public exploit code is currently available. However, the high CVSS score of 7.1 indicates significant potential impact if exploited.
What versions of Kernel are affected by CVE-2024-36883?
Linux kernel versions 6.7 through 6.8.9 are vulnerable. Version 6.8.10 and later contain the fix.
How do I check if my server is vulnerable to CVE-2024-36883?
Run 'uname -r' to display your kernel version. If the output shows 6.7.x through 6.8.9, your system is vulnerable and requires immediate patching.
Does Defensia detect CVE-2024-36883?
Yes — Defensia's CVE advisory scanner compares installed package versions against the NVD database. If Kernel is installed on a monitored server, CVE-2024-36883 will appear in your dashboard with remediation steps.
Related Kernel CVEs
References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0c3248bc708a7797be573214065cf908ff1f54c7
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/2d60ff5874aefd006717ca5e22ac1e25eac29c42
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/3cdc34d76c4f777579e28ad373979d36c030cfd3
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/7b0e64583eab8c1d896b47e5dd0bf2e7d86ec41f
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/9518b79bfd2fbf99fa9b7e8e36bcb1825e7ba030
Track CVEs across your fleet automatically
Defensia scans your Linux servers and tells you exactly which ones are running vulnerable versions — including CVE-2024-36883. Free for 1 server.
Get started free