CVE-2024-35898 – This CVE describes a race condition vulnerabili... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2024-35898?

CVE-2024-35898 has a CVSS score of 5.5 (MEDIUM). This CVE describes a race condition vulnerability in the Linux kernel's netfilter subsystem, specifically in the nf_tables component. It allows concurrent access to shared data structures without proper synchronization, potentially leading to memory corruption or system instability. Systems running affected Linux kernel versions with netfilter/nf_tables enabled are vulnerable.

📋 TL;DR

This CVE describes a race condition vulnerability in the Linux kernel's netfilter subsystem, specifically in the nf_tables component. It allows concurrent access to shared data structures without proper synchronization, potentially leading to memory corruption or system instability. Systems running affected Linux kernel versions with netfilter/nf_tables enabled are vulnerable.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Linux kernel

Versions: Specific affected versions not explicitly stated; check kernel commit history for exact range.

Operating Systems: Linux distributions using vulnerable kernel versions

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Requires netfilter/nf_tables to be enabled and in use.

📦 What is this software?

Debian Linux by Debian

View all CVEs affecting Debian Linux →

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...

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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, system crash, or potential privilege escalation leading to full system compromise.

🟠

Likely Case

System instability, kernel crashes, or denial of service affecting network functionality.

🟢

If Mitigated

Minimal impact if proper kernel hardening and isolation are implemented.

🌐 Internet-Facing: MEDIUM - Exploitation requires specific conditions but could affect network-facing services.

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Internal systems with netfilter enabled remain vulnerable to local attacks.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: HIGH

Race condition exploitation requires precise timing and specific system state.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Kernel versions containing commits: 24225011d81b471acc0e1e315b7d9905459a6304, 2485bcfe05ee3cf9ca8923a94fa2e456924c79c8, 69d1fe14a680042ec913f22196b58e2c8ff1b007, 8b891153b2e4dc0ca9d9dab8f619d49c740813df, 940d41caa71f0d3a52df2fde5fada524a993e331

Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Update Linux kernel to patched version. 2. Reboot system to load new kernel. 3. Verify kernel version matches patched release.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable nf_tables module

linux

Temporarily disable the vulnerable netfilter nf_tables module if not required.

modprobe -r nf_tables
echo 'blacklist nf_tables' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Implement strict network segmentation to limit attack surface
Monitor system logs for kernel panics or unusual netfilter activity

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check kernel version and verify if netfilter/nf_tables is loaded: lsmod | grep nf_tables

Check Version:

uname -r

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify kernel version includes the fix commits and nf_tables module loads without errors.

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Kernel panic messages
Netfilter/nf_tables error logs in dmesg or syslog

Network Indicators:

Unexpected network rule changes
Firewall rule inconsistencies

SIEM Query:

source="kernel" AND ("panic" OR "nf_tables" OR "netfilter")

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2024-35898

CVSS v3 Score: 5.5 (MEDIUM)

CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

CWE: CWE-362

Published: May 19, 2024

Last Updated: April 7, 2025

🔗 References

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