CVE-2024-44985: Linux kernel · ipv6: prevent possible UAF in ip6_xmit()
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 9.8 Critical · fixed in 5.15.0-1072.78~20.04.1 : patch Linux kernel as a priority.
Data as of 27 Oct 2026, 00:00 UTC
- Patch
- Available – fixed in 5.15.0-1072.78~20.04.1, 5.15.0-1078.87~20.04.1, 5.15.0-1071.79~20.04.1 +52
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 4 Sep 2024
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponised: no evidence on record.
No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB
Exploited in the wildExploited: no evidence on record.
Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation
Observed by OffSeq MirageSeen by Mirage: no evidence on record.
No attack traffic recorded by OffSeq Mirage sensors
A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 26 Oct 2026.
What to do
Upgrade to a fixed release listed under Affected software.
Patches and advisories
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7100-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7100-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7123-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7144-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7154-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7155-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7156-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7154-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7194-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7196-1 (opens in a new tab)
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinuxpkg:deb/ubuntu/linux?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-awspkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-aws?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-azurepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-azure?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-gcppkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-gcp?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-gkepkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-gke?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Ubuntu 24.04 LTSlinux-gkeoppkg:deb/ubuntu/linux-gkeop?arch=source&distro=nobleOther threats | Affected
| Fixed in
|
Check your own hosts for these packages with threat-finder (opens in a new tab), our free open-source scanner.
AI-suggested
A patch is available and should be applied promptly. Fixed kernel versions include 5.15.0-1072.78~20.04.1 and later releases as specified by the vendor. Users should update to these fixed versions to remediate the vulnerability. No additional mitigations are indicated by the vendor advisory.
Description
A use-after-free (UAF) vulnerability was identified and fixed in the IPv6 transmission function ip6_xmit() in the Linux kernel. The flaw occurs if skb_expand_head() returns NULL, causing the skb and associated data structures to be freed prematurely, potentially leading to memory corruption. The fix involves using rcu_read_lock() to prevent this UAF condition. This vulnerability affects multiple versions of the Linux kernel prior to the fixed releases and has a critical severity rating with a CVSS score of 9.8.
References
- ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2024-44985 (opens in a new tab)
- cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2024-44985 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/linus/2d5ff7e339d04622d8282661df36151906d0e1c7 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/975f764e96f71616b530e300c1bb2ac0ce0c2596 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/38a21c026ed2cc7232414cb166efc1923f34af17 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/124b428fe28064c809e4237b0b38e97200a8a4a8 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/fc88d6c1f2895a5775795d82ec581afdff7661d1 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/2d5ff7e339d04622d8282661df36151906d0e1c7 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7100-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7100-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7123-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7144-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7154-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7155-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7156-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7154-2 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7194-1 (opens in a new tab)
- ubuntu.com/security/notices/USN-7196-1 (opens in a new tab)