CVE-2024-50063·Kernel vulnerability
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: bpf: Prevent tail call between progs attached to different hooks bpf progs can be attached to kernel functions, and the attached functions can take different parameters or return different return values. If prog attached to one kernel function tail calls prog attached to another kernel function, the ctx access or return value verification could be bypassed. For example, if prog1 is attached to func1 which takes only 1 parameter and prog2 is attached to func2 which takes two parameters. Since verifier assumes the bpf ctx passed to prog2 is constructed based on func2's prototype, verifier allows prog2 to access the second parameter from the bpf ctx passed to it. The problem is that verifier does not prevent prog1 from passing its bpf ctx to prog2 via tail call. In this case, the bpf ctx passed to prog2 is constructed from func1 instead of func2, that is, the assumption for ctx access verification is bypassed. Another example, if BPF LSM prog1 is attached to hook file_alloc_security, and BPF LSM prog2 is attached to hook bpf_lsm_audit_rule_known. Verifier knows the return value rules for these two hooks, e.g. it is legal for bpf_lsm_audit_rule_known to return positive number 1, and it is illegal for file_alloc_security to return positive number. So verifier allows prog2 to return positive number 1, but does not allow prog1 to return positive number. The problem is that verifier does not prevent prog1 from calling prog2 via tail call. In this case, prog2's return value 1 will be used as the return value for prog1's hook file_alloc_security. That is, the return value rule is bypassed. This patch adds restriction for tail call to prevent such bypasses.
- Severity
- high
- Software
- Kernel
- Fixed in
- 6.11.4
- 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-2024-50063 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: 6.11.4
Fixed in: 6.11.4
How to fix this CVE
Update your Linux kernel to version 6.11.4 or later to patch the BPF tail call verification bypass. This vulnerability allows unprivileged users with BPF capabilities to bypass context access and return value validation rules by chaining BPF programs attached to different kernel hooks. Immediate kernel patching is recommended for systems running versions 6.7 through 6.11.3 that permit BPF program loading.
sudo dnf update kernel kernel-devel && sudo rebootDefensia detects this vulnerability
How to check if you are affected
- Run 'uname -r' to check your current kernel version and verify if it falls within the vulnerable range (6.7.x to 6.11.3)
- Check if BPF programs are attached to kernel hooks using 'bpftool prog list' (if bpftool is installed) to determine if your system uses eBPF functionality
- Search kernel logs with 'dmesg | grep -i bpf' or 'journalctl -k | grep bpf' for any BPF verifier warnings or LSM hook-related messages
- After patching, run 'uname -r' again and confirm the version is 6.11.4 or later, then verify with 'dmesg | tail -20' for successful boot with the new kernel
FAQ
What is CVE-2024-50063?
This vulnerability exists in the Linux kernel's BPF verifier, which fails to prevent tail calls between eBPF programs attached to different kernel hooks with mismatched function signatures. An attacker can exploit this to bypass security checks on function parameter context and return value validation rules enforced by LSM and other kernel subsystems.
Is CVE-2024-50063 being actively exploited?
No, this vulnerability is not currently listed on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog and no public exploit code is available. However, it requires local access and specific BPF capabilities to trigger.
What versions of Kernel are affected by CVE-2024-50063?
Linux kernel versions 6.7.0 through 6.11.3 are vulnerable. The fix is included in kernel version 6.11.4 and later.
How do I check if my server is vulnerable to CVE-2024-50063?
Run 'uname -r' to display your kernel version. If the output shows a version between 6.7 and 6.11.3 (inclusive), your system is vulnerable. Cross-reference with 'cat /proc/version' for additional confirmation.
Does Defensia detect CVE-2024-50063?
Yes — Defensia's CVE advisory scanner compares installed package versions against the NVD database. If the Linux kernel is installed on a monitored server and running a vulnerable version, CVE-2024-50063 will appear in your dashboard with remediation steps.
Related Kernel CVEs
References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/28ead3eaabc16ecc907cfb71876da028080f6356
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/5d5e3b4cbe8ee16b7bf96fd73a421c92a9da3ca1
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/88c2a10e6c176c2860cd0659f4c0e9d20b3f64d1
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/d9a807fb7cbfad4328824186e2e4bee28f72169b
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2025/05/msg00045.html
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