CVE-2024-53210 – A memory leak vulnerability in the Linux kernel... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2024-53210?

CVE-2024-53210 has a CVSS score of 5.5 (MEDIUM). A memory leak vulnerability in the Linux kernel's s390/iucv subsystem occurs when the MSG_PEEK flag is used with skb_recv_datagram(), causing improper reference counting that leads to kernel memory exhaustion and warning messages during socket closure. This affects Linux systems running on IBM s390/z/VM architecture with the af_iucv module loaded. The vulnerability can cause system instability and potential denial of service.

📋 TL;DR

A memory leak vulnerability in the Linux kernel's s390/iucv subsystem occurs when the MSG_PEEK flag is used with skb_recv_datagram(), causing improper reference counting that leads to kernel memory exhaustion and warning messages during socket closure. This affects Linux systems running on IBM s390/z/VM architecture with the af_iucv module loaded. The vulnerability can cause system instability and potential denial of service.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Linux Kernel

Versions: Versions up to and including 6.10.0-rc7

Operating Systems: Linux on IBM s390/z/VM architecture

Default Config Vulnerable: ✅ No

Notes: Only vulnerable when af_iucv module is loaded and used. This is specific to IBM s390/z/VM systems with IUCV communications.

📦 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 →

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Kernel memory exhaustion leading to system crash or denial of service, potentially affecting multiple processes and system stability.

🟠

Likely Case

Memory leak causing gradual performance degradation, warning messages in kernel logs, and potential application failures when sockets are closed.

🟢

If Mitigated

Minor performance impact with warning messages in logs but no system crash if memory pressure is managed.

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW - Requires specific s390 architecture and af_iucv module usage, which is typically not internet-facing.

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Affects internal systems running on IBM s390/z/VM with IUCV communications, potentially impacting critical infrastructure.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: NO

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: MEDIUM

Exploitation requires local access and specific knowledge of IUCV socket programming. The vulnerability is triggered by using MSG_PEEK flag with skb_recv_datagram() in affected code paths.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Fixed in kernel versions after 6.10.0-rc7 via commits referenced in CVE

Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/42251c2d1ef1cb0822638bebb87ad9120c759673

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Update Linux kernel to version containing fix commits. 2. Reboot system to load new kernel. 3. Verify af_iucv module loads correctly.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable af_iucv module

linux

Prevent loading of vulnerable af_iucv module if IUCV functionality is not required

echo 'blacklist af_iucv' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf
rmmod af_iucv

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Monitor kernel logs for WARNING messages from iucv_sock_destruct and restart affected services
Implement memory usage monitoring and alerts for systems using IUCV communications

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check kernel version: uname -r and verify if af_iucv module is loaded: lsmod | grep af_iucv

Check Version:

uname -r

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify kernel version is after 6.10.0-rc7 and check for absence of WARNING messages in dmesg related to iucv_sock_destruct

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

WARNING messages in kernel logs containing 'iucv_sock_destruct'
Memory leak patterns in system monitoring

Network Indicators:

Unusual IUCV socket activity patterns

SIEM Query:

source="kernel" AND "iucv_sock_destruct" AND "WARNING"

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2024-53210

CVSS v3 Score: 5.5 (MEDIUM)

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

CWE: CWE-401

Published: December 27, 2024

Last Updated: November 3, 2025

🔗 References

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🔗 Related Vulnerabilities

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