CVE-2024-49883·Kernel vulnerability
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ext4: aovid use-after-free in ext4_ext_insert_extent() As Ojaswin mentioned in Link, in ext4_ext_insert_extent(), if the path is reallocated in ext4_ext_create_new_leaf(), we'll use the stale path and cause UAF. Below is a sample trace with dummy values: ext4_ext_insert_extent path = *ppath = 2000 ext4_ext_create_new_leaf(ppath) ext4_find_extent(ppath) path = *ppath = 2000 if (depth > path[0].p_maxdepth) kfree(path = 2000); *ppath = path = NULL; path = kcalloc() = 3000 *ppath = 3000; return path; /* here path is still 2000, UAF! */ eh = path[depth].p_hdr ================================================================== BUG: KASAN: slab-use-after-free in ext4_ext_insert_extent+0x26d4/0x3330 Read of size 8 at addr ffff8881027bf7d0 by task kworker/u36:1/179 CPU: 3 UID: 0 PID: 179 Comm: kworker/u6:1 Not tainted 6.11.0-rc2-dirty #866 Call Trace: <TASK> ext4_ext_insert_extent+0x26d4/0x3330 ext4_ext_map_blocks+0xe22/0x2d40 ext4_map_blocks+0x71e/0x1700 ext4_do_writepages+0x1290/0x2800 [...] Allocated by task 179: ext4_find_extent+0x81c/0x1f70 ext4_ext_map_blocks+0x146/0x2d40 ext4_map_blocks+0x71e/0x1700 ext4_do_writepages+0x1290/0x2800 ext4_writepages+0x26d/0x4e0 do_writepages+0x175/0x700 [...] Freed by task 179: kfree+0xcb/0x240 ext4_find_extent+0x7c0/0x1f70 ext4_ext_insert_extent+0xa26/0x3330 ext4_ext_map_blocks+0xe22/0x2d40 ext4_map_blocks+0x71e/0x1700 ext4_do_writepages+0x1290/0x2800 ext4_writepages+0x26d/0x4e0 do_writepages+0x175/0x700 [...] ================================================================== So use *ppath to update the path to avoid the above problem.
- Severity
- high
- Software
- Kernel
- Fixed in
- 6.11.3
- 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 2% 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-2024-49883 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: 6.11
Until: 6.11.3
Fixed in: 6.11.3
How to fix this CVE
Update your Linux kernel to version 6.11.3 or later to resolve a use-after-free vulnerability in the ext4 extent insertion logic. This vulnerability affects systems running kernel versions 6.11.0 through 6.11.2 and can lead to memory corruption or system crashes during file system operations. Apply the security patch immediately, particularly if your workload involves intensive file writing or extent tree modifications.
sudo dnf update kernel kernel-develDefensia detects this vulnerability
How to check if you are affected
- Check installed kernel version: uname -r — ensure it is 6.11.3 or higher
- Verify ext4 filesystems are in use: df -t ext4 — this vulnerability only affects ext4 file systems
- Monitor system logs for UAF indicators: sudo grep -i 'KASAN\|use-after-free\|ext4_ext_insert_extent' /var/log/kern.log
- Confirm patch status by checking kernel build date: uname -v — compare against the fixed kernel release date (6.11.3 release date)
FAQ
What is CVE-2024-49883?
CVE-2024-49883 is a use-after-free memory vulnerability in the Linux kernel's ext4 file system driver, specifically in the extent tree insertion routine. When the kernel reallocates memory for extent tree paths during file operations, the old freed memory pointer may still be referenced, leading to memory corruption or system instability.
Is CVE-2024-49883 being actively exploited?
No, this vulnerability is not listed on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog and has no publicly available exploits. However, it can be triggered through normal file system operations on affected kernel versions.
What versions of Kernel are affected by CVE-2024-49883?
Linux kernel versions 6.11.0 through 6.11.2 are vulnerable. The issue was resolved in kernel version 6.11.3 and later.
How do I check if my server is vulnerable to CVE-2024-49883?
Run 'uname -r' to display your kernel version. If the output shows a version between 6.11.0 and 6.11.2 inclusive, and you have ext4 file systems (check with 'df -t ext4'), your system is vulnerable.
Does Defensia detect CVE-2024-49883?
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-2024-49883 will appear in your dashboard with remediation steps.
Related Kernel CVEs
References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/51db04892a993cace63415be99848970a0f15ef2
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/5e811066c5ab709b070659197dccfb80ab650ddd
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/8162ee5d94b8c0351be0a9321be134872a7654a1
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/975ca06f3fd154c5f7742083e7b2574c57d1c0c3
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/9df59009dfc6d9fc1bd9ddf6c5ab6e56d6ed887a
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