CVE-2024-50274
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's idpf driver. When monitoring tools query network link settings during a driver reset failure, they can access a freed vport pointer, causing a kernel crash or potential code execution. This affects systems using the idpf driver for Intel Ethernet devices.
💻 Affected Systems
- Linux kernel with idpf driver
📦 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
Kernel panic leading to system crash, or potential privilege escalation to kernel mode execution if the freed memory is controlled by an attacker.
Likely Case
System crash or instability when monitoring tools query network interfaces during driver reset scenarios.
If Mitigated
No impact if the vulnerable driver is not used or if monitoring tools are restricted during driver operations.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires triggering driver reset failures and timing monitoring queries precisely. No public exploits known at this time.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Kernel versions containing commits 81d2fb4c7c18a3b36ba3e00b9d5b753107472d75 or fa4d906ad0fb63a980a1d586a061c78ea1a345ba
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/81d2fb4c7c18a3b36ba3e00b9d5b753107472d75
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to version containing the fix commits. 2. Rebuild kernel if compiling from source. 3. Reboot system to load patched kernel.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable idpf driver
linuxRemove or blacklist the idpf driver if not needed
echo 'blacklist idpf' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf
rmmod idpf
Restrict monitoring tools
linuxLimit network monitoring tools that query link settings
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Disable the idpf driver if not required for system functionality
- Implement strict access controls to prevent unauthorized users from running network monitoring tools
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if idpf driver is loaded: lsmod | grep idpf. Check kernel version against patched versions.Check Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel version includes fix commits: git log --oneline | grep -E '81d2fb4c7c18|fa4d906ad0fb'📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel oops messages
- System crashes during network monitoring
- Driver reset failure logs
Network Indicators:
- Unexpected network interface resets
- Monitoring tool failures
SIEM Query:
event_source:kernel AND (message:"idpf" OR message:"use-after-free" OR message:"general protection fault")