In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
net: implement lockless setsockopt(SO_PEEK_OFF)
syzbot reported a lockdep violation [1] involving af_unix
support of SO_PEEK_OFF.
Since SO_PEEK_OFF is inherently not thread safe (it uses a per-socket
sk_peek_off field), there is really no point to enforce a pointless
thread safety in the kernel.
After this patch :
- setsockopt(SO_PEEK_OFF) no longer acquires the socket lock.
- skb_consume_udp() no longer has to acquire the socket lock.
- af_unix no longer needs a special version of sk_set_peek_off(),
because it does not lock u->iolock anymore.
As a followup, we could replace prot->set_peek_off to be a boolean
and avoid an indirect call, since we always use sk_set_peek_off().
[1]
WARNING: possible circular locking dependency detected
6.8.0-rc4-syzkaller-00267-g0f1dd5e91e2b #0 Not tainted
syz-executor.2/30025 is trying to acquire lock:
ffff8880765e7d80 (&u->iolock){+.+.}-{3:3}, at: unix_set_peek_off+0x26/0xa0 net/unix/af_unix.c:789
but task is already holding lock:
ffff8880765e7930 (sk_lock-AF_UNIX){+.+.}-{0:0}, at: lock_sock include/net/sock.h:1691 [inline]
ffff8880765e7930 (sk_lock-AF_UNIX){+.+.}-{0:0}, at: sockopt_lock_sock net/core/sock.c:1060 [inline]
ffff8880765e7930 (sk_lock-AF_UNIX){+.+.}-{0:0}, at: sk_setsockopt+0xe52/0x3360 net/core/sock.c:1193
which lock already depends on the new lock.
the existing dependency chain (in reverse order) is:
-> #1 (sk_lock-AF_UNIX){+.+.}-{0:0}:
lock_acquire+0x1e3/0x530 kernel/locking/lockdep.c:5754
lock_sock_nested+0x48/0x100 net/core/sock.c:3524
lock_sock include/net/sock.h:1691 [inline]
__unix_dgram_recvmsg+0x1275/0x12c0 net/unix/af_unix.c:2415
sock_recvmsg_nosec+0x18e/0x1d0 net/socket.c:1046
____sys_recvmsg+0x3c0/0x470 net/socket.c:2801
___sys_recvmsg net/socket.c:2845 [inline]
do_recvmmsg+0x474/0xae0 net/socket.c:2939
__sys_recvmmsg net/socket.c:3018 [inline]
__do_sys_recvmmsg net/socket.c:3041 [inline]
__se_sys_recvmmsg net/socket.c:3034 [inline]
__x64_sys_recvmmsg+0x199/0x250 net/socket.c:3034
do_syscall_64+0xf9/0x240
entry_SYSCALL_64_after_hwframe+0x6f/0x77
-> #0 (&u->iolock){+.+.}-{3:3}:
check_prev_add kernel/locking/lockdep.c:3134 [inline]
check_prevs_add kernel/locking/lockdep.c:3253 [inline]
validate_chain+0x18ca/0x58e0 kernel/locking/lockdep.c:3869
__lock_acquire+0x1345/0x1fd0 kernel/locking/lockdep.c:5137
lock_acquire+0x1e3/0x530 kernel/locking/lockdep.c:5754
__mutex_lock_common kernel/locking/mutex.c:608 [inline]
__mutex_lock+0x136/0xd70 kernel/locking/mutex.c:752
unix_set_peek_off+0x26/0xa0 net/unix/af_unix.c:789
sk_setsockopt+0x207e/0x3360
do_sock_setsockopt+0x2fb/0x720 net/socket.c:2307
__sys_setsockopt+0x1ad/0x250 net/socket.c:2334
__do_sys_setsockopt net/socket.c:2343 [inline]
__se_sys_setsockopt net/socket.c:2340 [inline]
__x64_sys_setsockopt+0xb5/0xd0 net/socket.c:2340
do_syscall_64+0xf9/0x240
entry_SYSCALL_64_after_hwframe+0x6f/0x77
other info that might help us debug this:
Possible unsafe locking scenario:
CPU0 CPU1
---- ----
lock(sk_lock-AF_UNIX);
lock(&u->iolock);
lock(sk_lock-AF_UNIX);
lock(&u->iolock);
*** DEADLOCK ***
1 lock held by syz-executor.2/30025:
#0: ffff8880765e7930 (sk_lock-AF_UNIX){+.+.}-{0:0}, at: lock_sock include/net/sock.h:1691 [inline]
#0: ffff8880765e7930 (sk_lock-AF_UNIX){+.+.}-{0:0}, at: sockopt_lock_sock net/core/sock.c:1060 [inline]
#0: ffff8880765e7930 (sk_lock-AF_UNIX){+.+.}-{0:0}, at: sk_setsockopt+0xe52/0x3360 net/core/sock.c:1193
stack backtrace:
CPU: 0 PID: 30025 Comm: syz-executor.2 Not tainted 6.8.0-rc4-syzkaller-00267-g0f1dd5e91e2b #0
Hardware name: Google Google C
---truncated---
Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This Linux kernel issue can create a deadlock risk in socket handling for SO_PEEK_OFF. The public record describes a syzbot-discovered locking problem, not confirmed real-world exploitation. Business urgency depends on affected kernel presence, especially systems running untrusted local workloads.
Executive priority
Treat as a targeted kernel maintenance issue unless affected kernels support untrusted users or multi-tenant workloads. Patch through normal urgent kernel update channels once vendor packages are available.
Technical view
CVE-2024-26732 concerns Linux kernel AF_UNIX/SO_PEEK_OFF locking. The fix removes socket locking around setsockopt(SO_PEEK_OFF) and related paths because the per-socket sk_peek_off field is inherently not thread-safe. The source describes a possible circular locking dependency and deadlock.
Likely exposure
Exposure appears limited to affected Linux kernels listed as 6.7 through 6.7.7 and 6.8. The source does not identify affected distributions, appliances, containers, or remote network exposure.
Exploitation context
The source cites syzbot and a lockdep warning. KEV is false, and no provided source reports active exploitation, public exploit code, or weaponized attacks.
Researcher notes
The record lacks CVSS, CWE, and distribution package mappings. Analysis should focus on kernel version lineage and whether the stable commits are backported by the relevant vendor.
Mitigation direction
Apply vendor kernel updates that include the referenced stable fixes.
Check distribution advisories for the exact fixed kernel package.
Prioritize hosts running affected 6.7, 6.7.7, or 6.8 kernels.
Where updates are delayed, reduce exposure to untrusted local workloads.
Validation and detection
Inventory Linux kernel versions across servers and endpoints.
Confirm whether referenced stable commits are present in deployed kernels.
Review vendor changelogs for the SO_PEEK_OFF locking fix.
Track CVE and vendor advisories for severity or exploitation updates.
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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ATT&CK lookup starting points
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CVE-2024-26732 mapping review
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