CVE-2024-53160 – This CVE describes a data race condition in the... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2024-53160?

CVE-2024-53160 has a CVSS score of 4.7 (MEDIUM). This CVE describes a data race condition in the Linux kernel's RCU (Read-Copy-Update) subsystem between the kvfree_call_rcu() and kfree_rcu_monitor() functions. The vulnerability allows concurrent access to timer expiration data without proper locking, potentially causing kernel instability or crashes. It affects Linux systems running vulnerable kernel versions.

📋 TL;DR

This CVE describes a data race condition in the Linux kernel's RCU (Read-Copy-Update) subsystem between the kvfree_call_rcu() and kfree_rcu_monitor() functions. The vulnerability allows concurrent access to timer expiration data without proper locking, potentially causing kernel instability or crashes. It affects Linux systems running vulnerable kernel versions.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Linux Kernel

Versions: Specific vulnerable versions not explicitly stated, but references indicate fixes in stable kernel trees. Likely affects versions before the fix commits.

Operating Systems: Linux distributions using affected kernel versions

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Requires kernel configurations with RCU and kvfree functionality enabled (common in most distributions).

📦 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 →

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Kernel panic or system crash due to race condition leading to memory corruption or use-after-free scenarios.

🟠

Likely Case

System instability, kernel oops, or performance degradation under specific workloads involving RCU operations.

🟢

If Mitigated

Minor performance impact or no noticeable effect if race condition doesn't trigger.

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW - This is a kernel-level race condition requiring local access or specific kernel operations to trigger.

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Local users or processes could potentially trigger the race condition, leading to system instability.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: NO

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: HIGH - Requires precise timing and specific kernel operations to trigger the race condition.

This is a data race vulnerability discovered by KCSAN (Kernel Concurrency Sanitizer), making reliable exploitation difficult.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Fixed in kernel commits: 05b8ea1f16667f07c8e5843fb4bde3e49d49ead8, 5ced426d97ce84299ecfcc7bd8b38f975fd11089, 967a0e61910825d1fad009d836a6cb41f7402395, a23da88c6c80e41e0503e0b481a22c9eea63f263

Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/05b8ea1f16667f07c8e5843fb4bde3e49d49ead8

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Update to a kernel version containing the fix commits. 2. Check your distribution's security advisories for patched kernel packages. 3. Reboot the system after kernel update.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

No effective workaround

linux

This is a kernel-level race condition that requires code-level fixes. No configuration changes or runtime workarounds are available.

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Monitor system logs for kernel panics or RCU-related errors
Restrict local user access to minimize potential trigger scenarios

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check kernel version and compare with distribution security advisories. Vulnerable if running kernel without the fix commits.

Check Version:

uname -r

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify kernel version includes the fix commits: uname -r and check with distribution package manager.

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Kernel panic messages
RCU stall warnings
KCSAN data race reports in dmesg
General protection faults

SIEM Query:

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

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2024-53160

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: December 24, 2024

Last Updated: October 1, 2025

🔗 References

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🔗 Related Vulnerabilities

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