CVE-2024-56642
📋 TL;DR
A use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's TIPC (Transparent Inter-Process Communication) subsystem allows attackers to potentially crash the kernel or execute arbitrary code. The vulnerability occurs when cleaning up UDP kernel sockets during network namespace destruction, affecting systems using TIPC networking.
💻 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, or potential privilege escalation to kernel-level code execution.
Likely Case
Kernel crash or denial of service affecting system stability and availability.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if TIPC is not enabled or network namespaces are not heavily used.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires ability to manipulate TIPC bearers and network namespaces. Found by syzkaller fuzzer without public exploit.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Kernel versions with commits 4e69457f9dfae67435f3ccf29008768eae860415, 650ee9a22d7a2de8999fac2d45983597a0c22359, 6a2fa13312e51a621f652d522d7e2df7066330b6, d00d4470bf8c4282617a3a10e76b20a9c7e4cffa, or d2a4894f238551eae178904e7f45af87577074fd
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/4e69457f9dfae67435f3ccf29008768eae860415
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to version containing the fix commits. 2. Reboot system to load new kernel. 3. Verify TIPC module loads correctly if needed.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable TIPC module
linuxPrevent loading of TIPC kernel module to eliminate attack surface
echo 'install tipc /bin/false' >> /etc/modprobe.d/disable-tipc.conf
rmmod tipc 2>/dev/null || true
Blacklist TIPC module
linuxBlacklist TIPC module from being loaded
echo 'blacklist tipc' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist-tipc.conf
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Disable TIPC functionality if not required
- Restrict access to network namespace operations via capabilities or container isolation
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if TIPC module is loaded: lsmod | grep tipc. If loaded and kernel version predates fix commits, system may be vulnerable.Check Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Check kernel version includes fix commits: uname -r and verify with distribution security advisories.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel panic messages
- Use-after-free warnings in kernel logs
- TIPC-related crash reports
Network Indicators:
- Unexpected TIPC network traffic if not normally used
SIEM Query:
source="kernel" AND ("use-after-free" OR "tipc" OR "cleanup_bearer" OR "KMSAN")🔗 References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/4e69457f9dfae67435f3ccf29008768eae860415
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/650ee9a22d7a2de8999fac2d45983597a0c22359
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/6a2fa13312e51a621f652d522d7e2df7066330b6
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/d00d4470bf8c4282617a3a10e76b20a9c7e4cffa
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/d2a4894f238551eae178904e7f45af87577074fd
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/d62d5180c036eeac09f80660edc7a602b369125f
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e48b211c4c59062cb6dd6c2c37c51a7cc235a464
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2025/03/msg00001.html
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2025/03/msg00002.html
