CVE-2024-26625: Vulnerability in Linux Linux

Severity: highType: vulnerabilityCVE-2024-26625

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: llc: call sock_orphan() at release time syzbot reported an interesting trace [1] caused by a stale sk->sk_wq pointer in a closed llc socket. In commit ff7b11aa481f ("net: socket: set sock->sk to NULL after calling proto_ops::release()") Eric Biggers hinted that some protocols are missing a sock_orphan(), we need to perform a full audit. In net-next, I plan to clear sock->sk from sock_orphan() and amend Eric patch to add a warning. [1] BUG: KASAN: slab-use-after-free in list_empty include/linux/list.h:373 [inline] BUG: KASAN: slab-use-after-free in waitqueue_active include/linux/wait.h:127 [inline] BUG: KASAN: slab-use-after-free in sock_def_write_space_wfree net/core/sock.c:3384 [inline] BUG: KASAN: slab-use-after-free in sock_wfree+0x9a8/0x9d0 net/core/sock.c:2468 Read of size 8 at addr ffff88802f4fc880 by task ksoftirqd/1/27 CPU: 1 PID: 27 Comm: ksoftirqd/1 Not tainted 6.8.0-rc1-syzkaller-00049-g6098d87eaf31 #0 Hardware name: QEMU Standard PC (Q35 + ICH9, 2009), BIOS 1.16.2-debian-1.16.2-1 04/01/2014 Call Trace: <TASK> __dump_stack lib/dump_stack.c:88 [inline] dump_stack_lvl+0xd9/0x1b0 lib/dump_stack.c:106 print_address_description mm/kasan/report.c:377 [inline] print_report+0xc4/0x620 mm/kasan/report.c:488 kasan_report+0xda/0x110 mm/kasan/report.c:601 list_empty include/linux/list.h:373 [inline] waitqueue_active include/linux/wait.h:127 [inline] sock_def_write_space_wfree net/core/sock.c:3384 [inline] sock_wfree+0x9a8/0x9d0 net/core/sock.c:2468 skb_release_head_state+0xa3/0x2b0 net/core/skbuff.c:1080 skb_release_all net/core/skbuff.c:1092 [inline] napi_consume_skb+0x119/0x2b0 net/core/skbuff.c:1404 e1000_unmap_and_free_tx_resource+0x144/0x200 drivers/net/ethernet/intel/e1000/e1000_main.c:1970 e1000_clean_tx_irq drivers/net/ethernet/intel/e1000/e1000_main.c:3860 [inline] e1000_clean+0x4a1/0x26e0 drivers/net/ethernet/intel/e1000/e1000_main.c:3801 __napi_poll.constprop.0+0xb4/0x540 net/core/dev.c:6576 napi_poll net/core/dev.c:6645 [inline] net_rx_action+0x956/0xe90 net/core/dev.c:6778 __do_softirq+0x21a/0x8de kernel/softirq.c:553 run_ksoftirqd kernel/softirq.c:921 [inline] run_ksoftirqd+0x31/0x60 kernel/softirq.c:913 smpboot_thread_fn+0x660/0xa10 kernel/smpboot.c:164 kthread+0x2c6/0x3a0 kernel/kthread.c:388 ret_from_fork+0x45/0x80 arch/x86/kernel/process.c:147 ret_from_fork_asm+0x11/0x20 arch/x86/entry/entry_64.S:242 </TASK> Allocated by task 5167: kasan_save_stack+0x33/0x50 mm/kasan/common.c:47 kasan_save_track+0x14/0x30 mm/kasan/common.c:68 unpoison_slab_object mm/kasan/common.c:314 [inline] __kasan_slab_alloc+0x81/0x90 mm/kasan/common.c:340 kasan_slab_alloc include/linux/kasan.h:201 [inline] slab_post_alloc_hook mm/slub.c:3813 [inline] slab_alloc_node mm/slub.c:3860 [inline] kmem_cache_alloc_lru+0x142/0x6f0 mm/slub.c:3879 alloc_inode_sb include/linux/fs.h:3019 [inline] sock_alloc_inode+0x25/0x1c0 net/socket.c:308 alloc_inode+0x5d/0x220 fs/inode.c:260 new_inode_pseudo+0x16/0x80 fs/inode.c:1005 sock_alloc+0x40/0x270 net/socket.c:634 __sock_create+0xbc/0x800 net/socket.c:1535 sock_create net/socket.c:1622 [inline] __sys_socket_create net/socket.c:1659 [inline] __sys_socket+0x14c/0x260 net/socket.c:1706 __do_sys_socket net/socket.c:1720 [inline] __se_sys_socket net/socket.c:1718 [inline] __x64_sys_socket+0x72/0xb0 net/socket.c:1718 do_syscall_x64 arch/x86/entry/common.c:52 [inline] do_syscall_64+0xd3/0x250 arch/x86/entry/common.c:83 entry_SYSCALL_64_after_hwframe+0x63/0x6b Freed by task 0: kasan_save_stack+0x33/0x50 mm/kasan/common.c:47 kasan_save_track+0x14/0x30 mm/kasan/common.c:68 kasan_save_free_info+0x3f/0x60 mm/kasan/generic.c:640 poison_slab_object mm/kasan/common.c:241 [inline] __kasan_slab_free+0x121/0x1b0 mm/kasan/common.c:257 kasan_slab_free include/linux/kasan.h:184 [inline] slab_free_hook mm/slub.c:2121 [inlin ---truncated---

AI Analysis

Technical Summary

CVE-2024-26625 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel, specifically related to the Logical Link Control (LLC) protocol socket handling. The issue arises from improper management of socket structures during release, where the function sock_orphan() is not called appropriately, leading to a stale pointer (sk->sk_wq) referencing a closed LLC socket. This results in a use-after-free condition, as detected by Kernel Address Sanitizer (KASAN) reports showing slab-use-after-free errors in various kernel components such as list handling, wait queues, and socket write space management. The root cause is a missing call to sock_orphan() in the release path of certain protocols, which leaves socket pointers dangling after the socket is closed. The vulnerability was reported by syzbot, an automated kernel fuzzer, and involves kernel memory corruption that can lead to undefined behavior including kernel crashes or potential escalation of privileges. The patch involves clearing the socket pointer in sock_orphan() and auditing all protocols to ensure proper socket orphaning during release. The vulnerability affects Linux kernel versions prior to the fix applied in net-next and kernel 6.8.0-rc1. No public exploits are known at this time, and no CVSS score has been assigned yet.

Potential Impact

For European organizations relying on Linux-based systems, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily to the stability and security of networked systems using the LLC protocol or related socket operations. Exploitation could lead to kernel crashes (denial of service) or potentially allow attackers to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges if they can trigger the use-after-free condition. This is particularly critical for infrastructure providers, cloud services, telecommunications, and enterprises running Linux servers or embedded devices. The vulnerability could disrupt critical services, cause data loss, or facilitate lateral movement within networks if exploited. Given the widespread use of Linux in European data centers, industrial control systems, and IoT devices, the impact could be significant if attackers develop reliable exploits. However, the requirement to trigger specific socket conditions and the complexity of kernel exploitation somewhat limit immediate risk. Still, the vulnerability demands prompt attention to prevent escalation and maintain system integrity.

Mitigation Recommendations

European organizations should prioritize updating Linux kernels to versions that include the patch for CVE-2024-26625. This involves applying the latest stable kernel releases or vendor-provided security updates that address the socket orphaning issue. For environments where immediate patching is not feasible, organizations should audit and restrict use of LLC protocol sockets and related network services to trusted users and processes only. Employ kernel hardening techniques such as Kernel Address Sanitizer (KASAN) in testing environments to detect similar issues early. Network segmentation and strict access controls can reduce the attack surface. Monitoring kernel logs for unusual socket errors or crashes may help detect exploitation attempts. Collaboration with Linux distribution vendors to ensure timely patch deployment is critical. Additionally, organizations should review custom kernel modules or third-party drivers for similar socket management issues and apply necessary fixes.