CVE-2024-47676
📋 TL;DR
This is a use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's hugetlb (huge pages) fault handling code. It allows attackers with local access to potentially crash the system 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 →⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Local privilege escalation to root, complete system compromise, or kernel panic causing denial of service.
Likely Case
Kernel crash leading to system instability or denial of service, potentially allowing privilege escalation in sophisticated attacks.
If Mitigated
Limited to denial of service if exploit fails or system has additional hardening.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires local access and knowledge of kernel memory management. Syzbot found this through fuzzing.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Kernel versions containing commits 98b74bb4d7e96b4da5ef3126511febe55b76b807, d59ebc99dee0a2687a26df94b901eb8216dbf876, or e897d184a8dd4a4e1f39c8c495598e4d9472776c
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/98b74bb4d7e96b4da5ef3126511febe55b76b807
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to patched version from your distribution's repositories. 2. Reboot system to load new kernel.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable hugetlb
linuxDisable huge pages functionality to prevent exploitation of this specific code path
echo never > /sys/kernel/mm/transparent_hugepage/enabled
echo 0 > /proc/sys/vm/nr_hugepages
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict user access to systems - limit shell access to trusted users only
- Implement strict privilege separation and use minimal user privileges
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check kernel version and compare with patched versions from kernel git historyCheck Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel version after update matches patched versions containing the fix commits📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel panic messages
- OOM killer activity related to hugetlb
- System crashes or instability
Network Indicators:
- None - local exploit only
SIEM Query:
Search for kernel panic events or system crash reports in system logs