CVE-2024-26630
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's cachestat functionality. Attackers could potentially exploit this to cause kernel crashes or execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. All Linux systems using affected kernel versions are vulnerable.
💻 Affected Systems
- Linux kernel
📦 What is this software?
Linux Kernel by Linux
The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...
Learn more about Linux Kernel →Linux Kernel by Linux
The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...
Learn more about Linux Kernel →Linux Kernel by Linux
The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...
Learn more about Linux Kernel →Linux Kernel by Linux
The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...
Learn more about Linux Kernel →Linux Kernel by Linux
The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...
Learn more about Linux Kernel →Linux Kernel by Linux
The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...
Learn more about Linux Kernel →Linux Kernel by Linux
The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...
Learn more about Linux Kernel →Linux Kernel by Linux
The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...
Learn more about Linux Kernel →⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Kernel panic leading to system crash or potential arbitrary code execution with kernel privileges, resulting in complete system compromise.
Likely Case
System instability, kernel crashes, or denial of service conditions affecting system availability.
If Mitigated
Minimal impact if proper kernel hardening and isolation measures are in place, though crashes could still occur.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires triggering cachestat operations on vulnerable systems; likely requires local access or ability to influence cache operations.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Kernel versions containing commits: 3a75cb05d53f4a6823a32deb078de1366954a804, ba60fdf75e89ea762bb617be578dc47f27655117, fe7e008e0ce728252e4ec652cceebcc62211657c
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/3a75cb05d53f4a6823a32deb078de1366954a804
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to patched version from your distribution's repositories. 2. Reboot system to load new kernel. 3. Verify kernel version after reboot.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable cachestat functionality
linuxRemove or restrict access to cachestat system calls if not required
echo 0 > /proc/sys/kernel/cachestat_enabled (if available)
Use seccomp filters to block cachestat syscalls
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict access controls to limit who can execute cachestat operations
- Use kernel hardening features like SELinux/AppArmor to restrict process capabilities
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check kernel version and compare with patched versions from kernel.org commitsCheck Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel version includes the fix commits: 3a75cb05d53f4a6823a32deb078de1366954a804 or ba60fdf75e89ea762bb617be578dc47f27655117📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel panic messages
- OOM killer activity
- Unexpected system crashes
Network Indicators:
- None - this is a local kernel vulnerability
SIEM Query:
source="kernel" AND ("panic" OR "Oops" OR "BUG") AND process="cachestat"🔗 References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/3a75cb05d53f4a6823a32deb078de1366954a804
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/ba60fdf75e89ea762bb617be578dc47f27655117
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/fe7e008e0ce728252e4ec652cceebcc62211657c
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/3a75cb05d53f4a6823a32deb078de1366954a804
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/ba60fdf75e89ea762bb617be578dc47f27655117
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/fe7e008e0ce728252e4ec652cceebcc62211657c
