CVE-2024-44935

Description

A flaw was found in the Linux kernel's Stream Control Transmission Protocol (SCTP) implementation. A local attacker with low privileges could exploit improper synchronization during concurrent socket operations involving SO_REUSEPORT. This vulnerability, a null-pointer dereference, can lead to a system crash, resulting in a Denial of Service (DoS).

Mitigation

To mitigate this issue, prevent the `sctp` kernel module from loading. This can be achieved by creating a blacklist file.

1. Create or edit `/etc/modprobe.d/blacklist-sctp.conf`:

   install sctp /bin/true
blacklist sctp
2. Regenerate the initramfs:
   - For RHEL 8 and 9: `dracut -f -v`
   - For RHEL 7: `dracut -f`
3. Reboot the system for the changes to take effect.

Warning: Disabling the SCTP module may impact applications that rely on this protocol.

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).

CVSS v3 Score Breakdown

Red HatNVDcve.org
Base Score5.55.5N/A
Attack VectorLocalLocalN/A
Attack ComplexityLowLowN/A
Privileges RequiredLowLowN/A
User InteractionNoneNoneN/A
ScopeUnchangedUnchangedN/A
ConfidentialityNoneNoneN/A
Integrity ImpactNoneNoneN/A
Availability ImpactHighHighN/A

Vector

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

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

Understanding the Weakness (CWE)

Availability

Technical Impact: DoS: Crash, Exit, or Restart

NULL pointer dereferences usually result in the failure of the process unless exception handling (on some platforms) is available and implemented. Even when exception handling is being used, it can still be very difficult to return the software to a safe state of operation.

Integrity,Confidentiality

Technical Impact: Execute Unauthorized Code or Commands; Read Memory; Modify Memory

In rare circumstances, when NULL is equivalent to the 0x0 memory address and privileged code can access it, then writing or reading memory is possible, which may lead to code execution.

Frequently Asked Questions

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