CVE-2024-53186

Description

From CVE.org

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ksmbd: fix use-after-free in SMB request handling A race condition exists between SMB request handling in `ksmbd_conn_handler_loop()` and the freeing of `ksmbd_conn` in the workqueue handler `handle_ksmbd_work()`. This leads to a UAF. - KASAN: slab-use-after-free Read in handle_ksmbd_work - KASAN: slab-use-after-free in rtlock_slowlock_locked This race condition arises as follows: - `ksmbd_conn_handler_loop()` waits for `conn->r_count` to reach zero: `wait_event(conn->r_count_q, atomic_read(&conn->r_count) == 0);` - Meanwhile, `handle_ksmbd_work()` decrements `conn->r_count` using `atomic_dec_return(&conn->r_count)`, and if it reaches zero, calls `ksmbd_conn_free()`, which frees `conn`. - However, after `handle_ksmbd_work()` decrements `conn->r_count`, it may still access `conn->r_count_q` in the following line: `waitqueue_active(&conn->r_count_q)` or `wake_up(&conn->r_count_q)` This results in a UAF, as `conn` has already been freed. The discovery of this UAF can be referenced in the following PR for syzkaller's support for SMB requests.

Statement

A race between ksmbd_conn_handler_loop() and handle_ksmbd_work() could free ksmbd_conn while the workqueue path still touches its waitqueue, causing a use-after-free and kernel crash. The patch adds a temporary reference (refcnt inc/dec) around the decrement of r_count and wakeup, preventing the UAF. Impact is remote denial of service against systems running and exposing ksmbd; no authentication is required, but reliable exploitation beyond DoS is non-trivial due to race timing.

Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) Score Details

Info alert:Important note

CVSS scores for open source components depend on vendor-specific factors (e.g. version or build chain). Therefore, Red Hat's score and impact rating can be different from NVD and other vendors. Red Hat remains the authoritative CVE Naming Authority (CNA) source for its products and services (see Red Hat classifications).

The following CVSS metrics and score provided are preliminary and subject to review.

CVSS v3 Score Breakdown

Red HatNVDcve.org
Base Score779.8
Attack VectorNetworkLocalNetwork
Attack ComplexityHighHighLow
Privileges RequiredNoneLowNone
User InteractionNoneNoneNone
ScopeUnchangedUnchangedUnchanged
ConfidentialityLowHighHigh
Integrity ImpactLowHighHigh
Availability ImpactHighHighHigh

Vector

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

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

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

Understanding the Weakness (CWE)

Integrity

Technical Impact: Modify Memory

The use of previously freed memory may corrupt valid data, if the memory area in question has been allocated and used properly elsewhere.

Availability

Technical Impact: DoS: Crash, Exit, or Restart

If chunk consolidation occurs after the use of previously freed data, the process may crash when invalid data is used as chunk information.

Confidentiality

Technical Impact: Read Memory

Read operations on freed memory can sometimes leak sensitive information instead of causing a crash

Integrity,Confidentiality,Availability

Technical Impact: Execute Unauthorized Code or Commands

If malicious data is entered before chunk consolidation can take place, it may be possible to take advantage of a write-what-where primitive to execute arbitrary code. If the newly allocated data happens to hold a class, in C++ for example, various function pointers may be scattered within the heap data. If one of these function pointers is overwritten with an address to valid shellcode, execution of arbitrary code can be achieved.

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