CVE-2024-57979: Linux kernel · pps: Fix a use-after-free
Affects Linux kernelSource GCVE Database
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.8 High.
Data as of 10 Nov 2026, 14:04 UTC
Sources agree
| CNA (Linux) | CVSS 3.1 | 7.8 |
|---|---|---|
| CISA-ADP | CVSS 3.1 | 7.8 |
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:HExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 27 Feb 2025
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponized: 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 10 Nov 2026.
What to do
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| Linux Linux | Affected
| 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
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/785c78ed0d39d1717cca3ef931d3e51337b5e90e (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/1a7735ab2cb9747518a7416fb5929e85442dec62 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/c4041b6b0a7a3def8cf3f3d6120ff337bc4c40f7 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/91932db1d96b2952299ce30c1c693d834d10ace6 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/cd3bbcb6b3a7caa5ce67de76723b6d8531fb7f64 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/7e5ee3281dc09014367f5112b6d566ba36ea2d49 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/85241f7de216f8298f6e48540ea13d7dcd100870 (opens in a new tab)
- git.kernel.org/stable/c/c79a39dc8d060b9e64e8b0fa9d245d44befeefbe (opens in a new tab)
- lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2025/05/msg00030.html (opens in a new tab)
- lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2025/03/msg00028.html (opens in a new tab)
- cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/html/ssa-265688.html (opens in a new tab)
- cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/html/ssa-019113.html (opens in a new tab)
- cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/html/ssa-457936.html (opens in a new tab)
- cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/html/ssa-784472.html (opens in a new tab)