CVE-2024-53057 – A use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux ker... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2024-53057?

CVE-2024-53057 has a CVSS score of 7.8 (HIGH). A use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's traffic control subsystem allows local attackers to potentially crash the system or execute arbitrary code. This affects Linux systems with specific qdisc configurations, requiring local access to exploit.

📋 TL;DR

A use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's traffic control subsystem allows local attackers to potentially crash the system or execute arbitrary code. This affects Linux systems with specific qdisc configurations, requiring local access to exploit.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Linux Kernel

Versions: Specific affected versions not explicitly stated in CVE, but patches exist for multiple stable branches (see references).

Operating Systems: Linux distributions using vulnerable kernel versions

Default Config Vulnerable: ✅ No

Notes: Requires specific qdisc configurations (DRR qdisc with ffff: major handle) to be vulnerable. Not all systems will have these configurations.

📦 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 →

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 kernel-level code execution, leading to complete system compromise.

🟠

Likely Case

Kernel panic causing system crash and denial of service.

🟢

If Mitigated

No impact if proper kernel hardening and access controls prevent local users from manipulating qdiscs.

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

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Local users or compromised accounts could exploit this to escalate privileges or cause DoS.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: MEDIUM

Requires local access and ability to manipulate traffic control qdiscs. Exploitation depends on specific system configuration.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Multiple stable kernel versions with fixes available (see git.kernel.org references)

Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/05df1b1dff8f197f1c275b57ccb2ca33021df552

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.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Restrict qdisc manipulation

linux

Limit ability to modify traffic control qdiscs to privileged users only

# Ensure only root can modify tc configurations
# Review and restrict CAP_NET_ADMIN capabilities

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Implement strict access controls to prevent non-privileged users from modifying network configurations
Monitor for unusual qdisc modifications or kernel panic events

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check kernel version and compare with patched versions from git.kernel.org references

Check Version:

uname -r

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify kernel version after update matches patched version and system remains stable during qdisc operations

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Kernel panic logs
UAF (use-after-free) kernel messages
Unexpected system crashes

Network Indicators:

Unusual traffic control configuration changes

SIEM Query:

source="kernel" AND ("panic" OR "UAF" OR "use-after-free")

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2024-53057

CVSS v3 Score: 7.8 (HIGH)

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

CWE: CWE-416

Published: November 19, 2024

Last Updated: November 3, 2025

🔗 References

📤 Share & Export

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🔗 Related Vulnerabilities

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