CVE-2024-47659·Kernel vulnerability
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: smack: tcp: ipv4, fix incorrect labeling Currently, Smack mirrors the label of incoming tcp/ipv4 connections: when a label 'foo' connects to a label 'bar' with tcp/ipv4, 'foo' always gets 'foo' in returned ipv4 packets. So, 1) returned packets are incorrectly labeled ('foo' instead of 'bar') 2) 'bar' can write to 'foo' without being authorized to write. Here is a scenario how to see this: * Take two machines, let's call them C and S, with active Smack in the default state (no settings, no rules, no labeled hosts, only builtin labels) * At S, add Smack rule 'foo bar w' (labels 'foo' and 'bar' are instantiated at S at this moment) * At S, at label 'bar', launch a program that listens for incoming tcp/ipv4 connections * From C, at label 'foo', connect to the listener at S. (label 'foo' is instantiated at C at this moment) Connection succeedes and works. * Send some data in both directions. * Collect network traffic of this connection. All packets in both directions are labeled with the CIPSO of the label 'foo'. Hence, label 'bar' writes to 'foo' without being authorized, and even without ever being known at C. If anybody cares: exactly the same happens with DCCP. This behavior 1st manifested in release 2.6.29.4 (see Fixes below) and it looks unintentional. At least, no explanation was provided. I changed returned packes label into the 'bar', to bring it into line with the Smack documentation claims.
- Severity
- high
- Software
- Kernel
- Fixed in
- 6.10.9
- Published
- 2024-10-09
Affected versions
From: 6.7
Until: 6.10.9
Fixed in: 6.10.9
How to fix this CVE
Update your Linux kernel to version 6.10.9 or later to resolve the Smack TCP/IPv4 labeling vulnerability that allows unauthorized cross-label communication. Systems running kernel versions 6.7 through 6.10.8 with Smack MAC enabled should prioritize this patch to prevent privilege escalation through improper network packet labeling.
sudo dnf update kernel kernel-develDefensia detects this vulnerability
How to check if you are affected
- Check installed kernel version: uname -r (vulnerable if between 6.7 and 6.10.8)
- Verify Smack is enabled: grep -i smack /boot/config-$(uname -r) (look for CONFIG_SECURITY_SMACK=y)
- Review network traffic logs and Smack audit logs for unexpected cross-label packet flows: ausearch -k smack_tcp
- Confirm patch by verifying kernel version is 6.10.9 or later: uname -r and checking dmesg for security-related messages
FAQ
What is CVE-2024-47659?
CVE-2024-47659 is a Smack MAC (Mandatory Access Control) vulnerability in the Linux kernel where TCP/IPv4 connections are mislabeled with the initiator's label instead of the responder's label, allowing unauthorized communication between security domains.
Is CVE-2024-47659 being actively exploited?
No, CVE-2024-47659 is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog and no public exploits are currently available.
What versions of Kernel are affected by CVE-2024-47659?
Linux kernel versions 6.7 through 6.10.8 are affected when Smack security module is enabled. Version 6.10.9 and later contain the fix.
How do I check if my server is vulnerable to CVE-2024-47659?
Run 'uname -r' to check your kernel version against the affected range (6.7-6.10.8), then verify Smack is active with 'grep CONFIG_SECURITY_SMACK /boot/config-$(uname -r)'.
Does Defensia detect CVE-2024-47659?
Yes — Defensia's CVE advisory scanner compares installed package versions against the NVD database. If the Linux kernel is installed on a monitored server, CVE-2024-47659 will appear in your dashboard with remediation steps.
Related Kernel CVEs
References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0776bcf9cb6de46fdd94d10118de1cf9b05f83b9
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0aea09e82eafa50a373fc8a4b84c1d4734751e2c
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/2fe209d0ad2e2729f7e22b9b31a86cc3ff0db550
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/4be9fd15c3c88775bdf6fa37acabe6de85beebff
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/5b4b304f196c070342e32a4752e1fa2e22fc0671
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