CVE-2024-47668 – A race condition vulnerability in the Linux ker... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2024-47668?

CVE-2024-47668 has a CVSS score of 4.7 (MEDIUM). A race condition vulnerability in the Linux kernel's generic radix tree implementation could lead to memory corruption. This affects Linux systems using the vulnerable kernel code, potentially allowing local attackers to escalate privileges or cause denial of service. The vulnerability requires local access to exploit.

📋 TL;DR

A race condition vulnerability in the Linux kernel's generic radix tree implementation could lead to memory corruption. This affects Linux systems using the vulnerable kernel code, potentially allowing local attackers to escalate privileges or cause denial of service. The vulnerability requires local access to exploit.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Linux Kernel

Versions: Specific affected versions not explicitly stated in CVE, but patches available for multiple stable branches

Operating Systems: Linux distributions using vulnerable kernel versions

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Vulnerability exists in lib/generic-radix-tree.c component; exploitation requires local access and specific timing conditions.

📦 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 →

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 leading to full system compromise, kernel panic causing system crash, or data corruption.

🟠

Likely Case

Local denial of service through kernel panic or system instability, potentially allowing limited privilege escalation in specific configurations.

🟢

If Mitigated

Minimal impact with proper access controls limiting local user access and kernel hardening features enabled.

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW - Requires local access to exploit, not directly exploitable over network.

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Local users could exploit this for privilege escalation or DoS, but requires specific timing conditions.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: HIGH

Exploitation requires precise timing (race condition) and local access; no public exploits known at this time.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Multiple stable kernel versions with fixes referenced in CVE links

Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0f078f8ca93b28a34e20bd050f12cd4efeee7c0f

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Identify current kernel version. 2. Update to patched kernel version from your distribution's repositories. 3. Reboot system to load new kernel. 4. Verify kernel version after reboot.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Restrict local user access

linux

Limit local user accounts and implement strict access controls to reduce attack surface

Enable kernel hardening features

linux

Use kernel security modules and hardening options to limit impact of potential exploits

sysctl -w kernel.kptr_restrict=2
sysctl -w kernel.dmesg_restrict=1

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Implement strict local user access controls and monitoring
Deploy kernel runtime protection tools and monitor for suspicious kernel activity

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check kernel version against patched versions; examine if system uses generic radix tree functionality

Check Version:

uname -r

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify kernel version matches patched version and check that system remains stable under load

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Kernel panic messages
System crash reports
Unusual privilege escalation attempts

Network Indicators:

Not applicable - local vulnerability

SIEM Query:

source="kernel" AND ("panic" OR "Oops" OR "general protection fault")

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2024-47668

CVSS v3 Score: 4.7 (MEDIUM)

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

CWE: CWE-362

Published: October 9, 2024

Last Updated: November 3, 2025

🔗 References

📤 Share & Export

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🔗 Related Vulnerabilities

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