CVE-2024-56637
📋 TL;DR
A race condition vulnerability in the Linux kernel's netfilter ipset module allows user space to unload the ip_set.ko module while it's requesting a set type backend module, potentially causing a kernel crash. This affects Linux systems using netfilter ipset functionality. The vulnerability requires local access to trigger.
💻 Affected Systems
- Linux kernel
📦 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 →⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Kernel panic leading to system crash and denial of service, potentially causing data loss or service disruption.
Likely Case
Local denial of service through kernel crash, requiring system reboot to restore functionality.
If Mitigated
Minimal impact if proper access controls prevent unprivileged users from manipulating kernel modules.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires local access and timing precision to trigger the race condition. No public exploit code identified.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Multiple stable kernel versions with commits: 0e67805e805c1f3edd6f43adbe08ea14b552694b, 456f010bfaefde84d3390c755eedb1b0a5857c3c, 5bae60a933ba5d16eed55c6b279be51bcbbc79b0, 6099b5d3e37145484fac4b8b4070c3f1abfb3519, 90bf312a6b6b3d6012137f6776a4052ee85e0340
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0e67805e805c1f3edd6f43adbe08ea14b552694b
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to patched version. 2. Check distribution-specific security advisories. 3. Reboot system after kernel update. 4. Verify kernel version matches patched release.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict module loading
linuxPrevent unprivileged users from loading/unloading kernel modules
echo 1 > /proc/sys/kernel/modules_disabled
chmod 600 /proc/sys/kernel/modules_disabled
Disable ipset module
linuxRemove or blacklist ip_set.ko module if not required
echo 'blacklist ip_set' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf
rmmod ip_set
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict access controls to prevent unprivileged users from loading/unloading kernel modules
- Monitor system logs for kernel panic events and module manipulation attempts
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check kernel version and compare with patched releases. Examine if ip_set module is loaded: lsmod | grep ip_setCheck Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel version includes one of the fix commits. Check dmesg for any recent kernel panic events.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel panic messages in /var/log/messages or dmesg
- Module loading/unloading events in audit logs
- System crash/reboot events
Network Indicators:
- None - local exploitation only
SIEM Query:
source="kernel" AND ("panic" OR "Oops" OR "ip_set")🔗 References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0e67805e805c1f3edd6f43adbe08ea14b552694b
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/456f010bfaefde84d3390c755eedb1b0a5857c3c
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/5bae60a933ba5d16eed55c6b279be51bcbbc79b0
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/6099b5d3e37145484fac4b8b4070c3f1abfb3519
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/90bf312a6b6b3d6012137f6776a4052ee85e0340
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/ba5e070f36682d07ca7ad2a953e6c9d96be19dca
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e5e2d3024753fdaca818b822e3827614bacbdccf
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2025/03/msg00001.html
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2025/03/msg00002.html
