CVE-2024-53143 – This Linux kernel vulnerability involves a use-... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2024-53143?

CVE-2024-53143 has a CVSS score of 7.8 (HIGH). This Linux kernel vulnerability involves a use-after-free (UAF) condition in the fsnotify subsystem due to incorrect ordering of operations when handling inode and superblock references. It could allow local attackers to potentially crash the system, escalate privileges, or corrupt data. All Linux systems using affected kernel versions are impacted.

📋 TL;DR

This Linux kernel vulnerability involves a use-after-free (UAF) condition in the fsnotify subsystem due to incorrect ordering of operations when handling inode and superblock references. It could allow local attackers to potentially crash the system, escalate privileges, or corrupt data. All Linux systems using affected kernel versions are impacted.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Linux kernel

Versions: Specific affected versions not explicitly stated in CVE, but patches exist in stable kernel trees. Likely affects multiple recent versions before fixes.

Operating Systems: All Linux distributions using affected kernel versions

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Requires local access. Exploitation depends on specific race conditions and filesystem operations.

📦 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...

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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 →

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Local privilege escalation to root, kernel panic leading to denial of service, or data corruption in filesystems like tmpfs.

🟠

Likely Case

Kernel panic or system crash due to race condition triggering CHECK_DATA_CORRUPTION() in generic_shutdown_super().

🟢

If Mitigated

System remains stable with proper kernel hardening and access controls limiting local attack surface.

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

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Local users or compromised accounts could exploit this to crash systems or potentially escalate privileges.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: HIGH - Requires precise timing and race condition exploitation.

Exploitation is challenging due to race condition requirements, but Project Zero has documented related issues.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Patches available in stable kernel trees via commits: 21d1b618b6b9da46c5116c640ac4b1cc8d40d63a, 45a8f8232a495221ed058191629f5c628f21601a, 83af1cfa10d9aafdabd06b3655e07727f373b434

Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/21d1b618b6b9da46c5116c640ac4b1cc8d40d63a

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Update to latest stable kernel version containing the fixes. 2. For distributions: Use package manager (apt/yum/dnf) to update kernel package. 3. Reboot system to load new kernel.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Restrict local user access

linux

Limit shell access and local login capabilities to reduce attack surface.

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Implement strict access controls to limit local user privileges
Monitor system logs for kernel panics or corruption warnings

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check kernel version and compare with distribution's patched versions. Vulnerable if using unpatched kernel with fsnotify support.

Check Version:

uname -r

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify kernel version after update matches patched version from your distribution's security advisory.

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Kernel panic messages
CHECK_DATA_CORRUPTION warnings in dmesg
Filesystem corruption errors

Network Indicators:

None - local exploitation only

SIEM Query:

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

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2024-53143

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: December 7, 2024

Last Updated: March 24, 2025

🔗 References

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