CVE-2024-27022
📋 TL;DR
This is a race condition vulnerability in the Linux kernel's fork mechanism that can lead to use-after-free conditions when handling hugetlbfs memory mappings. It affects Linux systems using hugetlbfs and can potentially lead to privilege escalation or denial of service. The vulnerability requires local access to exploit.
💻 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 →⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Local privilege escalation to root, kernel panic causing system crash, or memory corruption leading to arbitrary code execution in kernel context.
Likely Case
Kernel panic leading to denial of service (system crash) or privilege escalation to root from a local user account.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper access controls prevent local users from executing fork operations on hugetlbfs mappings.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires local access and race condition timing. The vulnerability involves complex kernel memory management interactions.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Patches available in stable kernel branches (see git references in CVE description)
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/35e351780fa9d8240dd6f7e4f245f9ea37e96c19
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 hugetlbfs
linuxDisable hugetlbfs if not required, reducing attack surface
echo 'never' > /sys/kernel/mm/transparent_hugepage/enabled
Remove hugetlbfs mount points if present
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict local user access to systems using mandatory access controls (SELinux/AppArmor)
- Monitor for suspicious fork operations and kernel panic events
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check kernel version and compare with patched versions from distribution vendor. Check if hugetlbfs is in use.Check Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel version matches patched version from vendor after update and reboot.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel panic messages
- WARNING messages related to fork or hugetlbfs operations
- OOM killer activity
Network Indicators:
- None - local exploit only
SIEM Query:
source="kernel" AND ("WARNING" OR "panic" OR "BUG") AND ("fork" OR "hugetlbfs" OR "vma")🔗 References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/35e351780fa9d8240dd6f7e4f245f9ea37e96c19
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/abdb88dd272bbeb93efe01d8e0b7b17e24af3a34
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/04b0c41912349aff11a1bbaef6a722bd7fbb90ac
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0c42f7e039aba3de6d7dbf92da708e2b2ecba557
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/35e351780fa9d8240dd6f7e4f245f9ea37e96c19
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/abdb88dd272bbeb93efe01d8e0b7b17e24af3a34
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/cec11fa2eb512ebe3a459c185f4aca1d44059bbf
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/dd782da470761077f4d1120e191f1a35787cda6e
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/4EZ6PJW7VOZ224TD7N4JZNU6KV32ZJ53/
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/DAMSOZXJEPUOXW33WZYWCVAY7Z5S7OOY/
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/GCBZZEC7L7KTWWAS2NLJK6SO3IZIL4WW/
