CVE-2024-53216

Description

A flaw was found in the Linux kernel's Network File System daemon (nfsd). A local user can trigger a use-after-free condition when export cache entries are prematurely released during read operations. This issue may lead to memory corruption, potentially causing a system crash and resulting in a Denial of Service (DoS).

Mitigation

To mitigate this issue on systems that do not require NFS server capabilities, prevent the nfsd kernel module from loading by adding a configuration file to /etc/modprobe.d/:

# echo "install nfsd /bin/true" > /etc/modprobe.d/nfsd.conf

If the NFS server service is currently running, stop and disable it:

# systemctl stop nfs-server
# systemctl disable nfs-server

If the nfsd module is already loaded in memory, attempt to unload it or restart the system:

# modprobe -r nfsd

Warning: Blacklisting nfsd disables NFS export functionality on the host, though NFS client operations remain unaffected. Unloading the module or restarting the system will disrupt active NFS exports and existing client sessions.

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 Score7N/A7.8
Attack VectorLocalN/ALocal
Attack ComplexityHighN/ALow
Privileges RequiredLowN/ALow
User InteractionNoneN/ANone
ScopeUnchangedN/AUnchanged
ConfidentialityHighN/AHigh
Integrity ImpactHighN/AHigh
Availability ImpactHighN/AHigh

Vector

Red Hat: 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:L/AC:L/PR:L/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.

Frequently Asked Questions

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