CVE-2024-26851: netfilter: nf_conntrack_h323: Add protection for bmp length out of range
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
netfilter: nf_conntrack_h323: Add protection for bmp length out of range
UBSAN load reports an exception of BRK#5515 SHIFT_ISSUE:Bitwise shifts
that are out of bounds for their data type.
vmlinux get_bitmap(b=75) + 712
<net/netfilter/nf_conntrack_h323_asn1.c:0>
vmlinux decode_seq(bs=0xFFFFFFD008037000, f=0xFFFFFFD008037018, level=134443100) + 1956
<net/netfilter/nf_conntrack_h323_asn1.c:592>
vmlinux decode_choice(base=0xFFFFFFD0080370F0, level=23843636) + 1216
<net/netfilter/nf_conntrack_h323_asn1.c:814>
vmlinux decode_seq(f=0xFFFFFFD0080371A8, level=134443500) + 812
<net/netfilter/nf_conntrack_h323_asn1.c:576>
vmlinux decode_choice(base=0xFFFFFFD008037280, level=0) + 1216
<net/netfilter/nf_conntrack_h323_asn1.c:814>
vmlinux DecodeRasMessage() + 304
<net/netfilter/nf_conntrack_h323_asn1.c:833>
vmlinux ras_help() + 684
<net/netfilter/nf_conntrack_h323_main.c:1728>
vmlinux nf_confirm() + 188
<net/netfilter/nf_conntrack_proto.c:137>
Due to abnormal data in skb->data, the extension bitmap length
exceeds 32 when decoding ras message then uses the length to make
a shift operation. It will change into negative after several loop.
UBSAN load could detect a negative shift as an undefined behaviour
and reports exception.
So we add the protection to avoid the length exceeding 32. Or else
it will return out of range error and stop decoding.
Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
Linux systems using the H.323 connection-tracking helper can mishandle malformed voice or video signalling data. An oversized bitmap length triggers an invalid bit shift in kernel code, potentially disrupting availability. The published CVSS score is 7.5 High. No confidentiality or integrity impact is identified, and the supplied sources do not show active exploitation.
Executive priority
Prioritize exposed firewalls, NAT gateways, and appliances using H.323 conntrack. Patch during the next urgent maintenance window; accelerate when the helper is active and receives untrusted traffic. Lower priority is reasonable only after confirming the vulnerable helper cannot process such traffic.
Technical view
CVE-2024-26851 affects nf_conntrack_h323 ASN.1 decoding of H.323 RAS messages. When an extension bitmap length exceeds 32, get_bitmap can perform negative or out-of-range shifts, producing undefined behavior detected by UBSAN. The kernel fix rejects the out-of-range length and stops decoding. The vector is AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H.
Likely exposure
Exposure is highest on Linux firewalls, NAT gateways, or appliances where nf_conntrack_h323 processes untrusted H.323 RAS traffic. Systems not using this helper have lower practical exposure. The bundle flags affected Linux releases spanning 2.6.17 through 6.8, but precise distribution package status and backports require vendor confirmation.
Exploitation context
The bundle marks this CVE as absent from KEV and provides no evidence of active exploitation or a public exploit. The CVSS vector indicates network reachability, low complexity, no privileges, and no user interaction, with availability impact only. Practical exploitability depends on hostile H.323 RAS traffic reaching the vulnerable helper.
Researcher notes
The root cause is insufficient bounds checking of an ASN.1 extension bitmap length during H.323 RAS decoding. The correction rejects lengths exceeding 32. The bundle’s affected-version data mixes stable releases and commit identifiers, so precise package boundaries should not be inferred without vendor backport records.
Mitigation direction
Install a vendor-supported kernel update incorporating the referenced nf_conntrack_h323 bitmap-length validation fix.
Reboot into the updated kernel and verify the active version; installing alone may leave the old kernel running.
Until patched, restrict untrusted H.323 RAS traffic from reaching systems using the conntrack helper.
If H.323 conntrack is unnecessary, disable it only through vendor-supported guidance.
Validation and detection
Inventory Linux hosts, gateways, and appliances where nf_conntrack_h323 is available, loaded, or configured.
Compare running kernels and package revisions against applicable vendor advisories and documented backport status.
Confirm after reboot that the active kernel contains the vendor fix or corresponding stable commit.
Review kernel and UBSAN logs for nf_conntrack_h323, get_bitmap, negative-shift, or crash indicators.
In an authorized test environment, confirm oversized bitmap data is rejected without undefined-shift reports or disruption.
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-2024-26851 mapping review
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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.
1CVSS vectors
3Timeline events
3ADP providers
12Source links
SSVC decision data
CISA-ADPCISA Coordinator
Timestamp
Version
2.0.3
Exploitation: noneAutomatable: noTechnical Impact: total
CVSS vector scores
1 official score
We collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.