CVE-2024-53206 – This CVE describes a use-after-free vulnerabili... (How to Fix)

📋 TL;DR

This CVE describes a use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's TCP implementation. When a TCP connection request times out during migration, improper cleanup can lead to memory corruption. This affects all systems running vulnerable Linux kernel versions.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Linux kernel

Versions: Specific versions between the vulnerable commit and the fix commit

Operating Systems: Linux distributions using affected kernel versions

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Requires TCP connections and timeout handling to trigger

📦 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 →

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Kernel panic leading to system crash, potential privilege escalation to root, or remote code execution.

🟠

Likely Case

System instability, crashes, or denial of service affecting network connectivity.

🟢

If Mitigated

Limited impact with proper network segmentation and minimal exposure.

🌐 Internet-Facing: MEDIUM

🏢 Internal Only: LOW

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ⚠️ Yes

Complexity: HIGH

Exploitation requires precise timing and memory manipulation

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Kernel versions with commit 2dcc86fefe09ac853158afd96b60d544af115dc5 or later

Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/2dcc86fefe09ac853158afd96b60d544af115dc5

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Update Linux kernel to patched version
2. Reboot system
3. Verify kernel version after reboot

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Network traffic filtering

linux

Limit TCP connection attempts from untrusted sources

iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --syn -m limit --limit 1/s -j ACCEPT
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --syn -j DROP

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Implement strict network segmentation to limit exposure
Monitor systems for crashes or abnormal behavior related to TCP connections

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check kernel version and compare with affected range: uname -r

Check Version:

uname -r

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify kernel version is after the fix commit: uname -r and check changelog

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Kernel panic messages
TCP connection timeout errors
System crash dumps

Network Indicators:

Abnormal TCP connection patterns
Multiple failed connection attempts

SIEM Query:

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

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2024-53206

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 27, 2024

Last Updated: November 3, 2025

🔗 References

📤 Share & Export

📄 Export Markdown 📋 Export JSON

🔗 Related Vulnerabilities

If you're affected by CVE-2024-53206, you might also want to check these: