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CVE Record

CVE-2024-14027: xattr: switch to CLASS(fd)

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: fs/xattr: missing fdput() in fremovexattr error path In the Linux kernel, the fremovexattr() syscall calls fdget() to acquire a file reference but returns early without calling fdput() when strncpy_from_user() fails on the name argument. In multi-threaded processes where fdget() takes the slow path, this permanently leaks one file reference per call, pinning the struct file and associated kernel objects in memory. An unprivileged local user can exploit this to cause kernel memory exhaustion. The issue was inadvertently fixed by commit a71874379ec8 ("xattr: switch to CLASS(fd)").

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This Linux kernel flaw can let a local unprivileged user steadily leak kernel file references until memory is exhausted. The business impact is denial of service, not data theft, based on the supplied sources. Public severity and CVSS were not provided.

Executive priority

Treat this as a targeted availability risk. It is not currently cited as exploited, but shared Linux infrastructure should be patched on the next normal security cycle, faster for multi-tenant or untrusted workload environments.

Technical view

fremovexattr() obtains a file reference with fdget(), then may return early when copying the xattr name from user space fails. That error path missed fdput(), leaking one file reference per affected call on the slow path in multi-threaded processes.

Likely exposure

Exposure is primarily Linux systems allowing untrusted local users or workloads. Multi-user servers, shared development hosts, and container hosts deserve attention. Exact distribution impact depends on kernel backports and package maintainer advisories.

Exploitation context

The source bundle marks CISA KEV as false and provides no evidence of active exploitation. The described attack requires local code execution by an unprivileged user and aims at kernel memory exhaustion through repeated triggering of the error path.

Researcher notes

The supplied record names the inadvertently fixing commit a71874379ec8 and two stable references. Version data in the bundle is not enough to map every distribution kernel, so validation should rely on vendor backports and source-level confirmation.

Mitigation direction

  • Update to a kernel build containing the referenced stable fix or vendor backport.
  • Check Linux distribution advisories for CVE-2024-14027 package status.
  • Prioritize hosts running untrusted local users, CI jobs, containers, or shared shells.
  • If patching is delayed, reduce untrusted local access where operationally feasible.
  • Monitor affected hosts for unexplained kernel memory pressure or file object growth.

Validation and detection

  • Identify running kernel versions across Linux hosts.
  • Compare vendor package changelogs against CVE-2024-14027 and referenced stable commits.
  • Confirm fixed kernels include the fdput cleanup change for fremovexattr().
  • Review whether local untrusted users or workloads can execute on each host.
  • Track remediation evidence in vulnerability management records.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
5

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

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CVE-2024-14027 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Unknown
CVSS
Not scored
Known Exploited
No
Published
Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

0CVSS vectors
3Timeline events
0ADP providers
4Source links

Vulnerability timeline

Timeline events are normalized from CVE metadata, CNA source timelines, ADP timelines, and KEV metadata when present.

  1. CVE reservedCVE Program

    The CVE ID was reserved by the assigning CNA.

  2. CVE publishedCVE Program

    The CVE record was published.

  3. CVE updatedCVE Program

    The CVE record metadata indicates this as the latest update time.

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinuxc03185f4a23e7f89d84c9981091770e876e64480, c3a5e3e872f3688ae0dc57bb78ca633921d96a91, c3a5e3e872f3688ae0dc57bb78ca633921d96a91, 8d5863cb33aa424fc27115ee945ad6b96ae2facb, 6.6.51, 6.10.10unaffected
LinuxLinux6.11, 0, 6.6.133, 6.12.77, 6.13affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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