CVE-2024-53057·Kernel vulnerability
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net/sched: stop qdisc_tree_reduce_backlog on TC_H_ROOT In qdisc_tree_reduce_backlog, Qdiscs with major handle ffff: are assumed to be either root or ingress. This assumption is bogus since it's valid to create egress qdiscs with major handle ffff: Budimir Markovic found that for qdiscs like DRR that maintain an active class list, it will cause a UAF with a dangling class pointer. In 066a3b5b2346, the concern was to avoid iterating over the ingress qdisc since its parent is itself. The proper fix is to stop when parent TC_H_ROOT is reached because the only way to retrieve ingress is when a hierarchy which does not contain a ffff: major handle call into qdisc_lookup with TC_H_MAJ(TC_H_ROOT). In the scenario where major ffff: is an egress qdisc in any of the tree levels, the updates will also propagate to TC_H_ROOT, which then the iteration must stop. net/sched/sch_api.c | 2 +- 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-)
- Severity
- high
- Software
- Kernel
- Fixed in
- 6.11.7
- 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 3% 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-2024-53057 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: 6.11.7
Fixed in: 6.11.7
How to fix this CVE
Update your Linux kernel to version 6.11.7 or later to resolve a use-after-free vulnerability in the qdisc traffic control subsystem. The vulnerability occurs when the kernel incorrectly handles egress queuing discipline objects with certain handle values, leading to memory corruption. Apply this critical patch immediately, especially on systems running kernels 6.7 through 6.11.6.
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` and compare against 6.11.7 (vulnerable if 6.7.x through 6.11.6)
- Step 2: Verify qdisc configuration with `tc qdisc show` to identify active traffic control rules using DRR or similar disciplines
- Step 3: Monitor dmesg and /var/log/kern.log for UAF warnings: `dmesg | grep -i 'use-after-free\|UAF\|qdisc' and tail -f /var/log/kern.log | grep -i 'qdisc\|backlog'`
- Step 4: After patching, reboot the system with `sudo reboot` and confirm new kernel loaded via `uname -r`, then verify qdisc operations remain stable over 24 hours
FAQ
What is CVE-2024-53057?
CVE-2024-53057 is a use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's traffic control (qdisc) subsystem that occurs when the kernel mishandles egress queue discipline objects with major handle 0xffff:, causing memory corruption and potential denial of service.
Is CVE-2024-53057 being actively exploited?
No, CVE-2024-53057 is not listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog and no public exploits are currently available. However, it should still be patched promptly due to its high severity rating.
What versions of Kernel are affected by CVE-2024-53057?
Linux kernel versions 6.7 through 6.11.6 are vulnerable. The vulnerability is patched in kernel 6.11.7 and later versions.
How do I check if my server is vulnerable to CVE-2024-53057?
Run `uname -r` to check your kernel version. If it reports a version between 6.7.0 and 6.11.6 (inclusive), your system is vulnerable and requires immediate patching.
Does Defensia detect CVE-2024-53057?
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-2024-53057 will appear in your dashboard with remediation steps.
Related Kernel CVEs
References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/05df1b1dff8f197f1c275b57ccb2ca33021df552
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/2e95c4384438adeaa772caa560244b1a2efef816
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/580b3189c1972aff0f993837567d36392e9d981b
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/597cf9748c3477bf61bc35f0634129f56764ad24
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/9995909615c3431a5304c1210face5f268d24dba
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