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VulnerabilityPublished Updated

CVE-2024-57979: Linux kernel · pps: Fix a use-after-free

Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database

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Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.8 High.

Data as of 10 Nov 2026, 14:04 UTC

CVSS 3.1 base score
7.8High
How severe the flaw is on the 0–10 CVSS scale.

Sources agree

CVSS scores by source
CNA (Linux)CVSS 3.17.8
CISA-ADPCVSS 3.17.8
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Exploitation evidence

  1. Disclosed: evidence found.

    CVE published 27 Feb 2025

  2. Detectable: no evidence on record.

    No public nuclei template indexed

  3. Weaponized: no evidence on record.

    No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB

  4. Exploited in the wild: no evidence on record.

    Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation

  5. Observed by OffSeq 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 10 Nov 2026.

What to do

Affected software

ProductAffectedFixed in
Linux LinuxAffected
  • =3.2.40
  • =3.4.87
  • =3.8.1
Fixed in–

AI-suggested

A fix is available that removes the embedded cdev and changes the device registration mechanism to prevent premature freeing of the pps_device. Users should apply the updated Linux kernel versions that include this fix. No additional mitigations are indicated beyond applying the official patch.

Description

CVE-2024-57979 is a use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's pps subsystem. It occurs when the pps_device is freed immediately after cdev_del() is called, but file operations for previously opened character devices remain callable, leading to use-after-free conditions. This can cause kernel warnings, refcount underflows, and kernel panics. The issue was fixed by removing the embedded cdev and changing the device registration approach to prevent premature freeing.

References

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