#VU91597 Use-after-free in Linux kernel - CVE-2024-36971

Vulnerability identifier: #VU91597

Vulnerability risk: Critical

CVSSv4.0: 8.5 [CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:A/U:Red]

CVE-ID: CVE-2024-36971

CWE-ID: CWE-416

Exploitation vector: Local

Exploit availability: No

Vulnerable software:
Linux kernel
Operating systems & Components / Operating system

Vendor: Linux Foundation

Description

The vulnerability allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the system.

The vulnerability exists due to a use-after-free error within the xfrm_link_failure() function in net/xfrm/xfrm_policy.c, within the dst_entry ip6_dst_check() and ip6_dst_check() functions in net/ipv6/route.c, within the dst_entry ipv4_dst_check() and ip_do_redirect() functions in net/ipv4/route.c. A remote attacker can send specially crafted packets to the system and execute arbitrary code.

Note, the vulnerability is being actively exploited in the wild.

Mitigation
Install update from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

Linux kernel: All versions

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External links
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/92f1655aa2b2294d0b49925f3b875a634bd3b59e

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Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

No. This vulnerability can be exploited locally. The attacker should have authentication credentials and successfully authenticate on the system.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

Yes. This vulnerability is being exploited in the wild.