CVE-2024-27022: fork: defer linking file vma until vma is fully initialized
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
fork: defer linking file vma until vma is fully initialized
Thorvald reported a WARNING [1]. And the root cause is below race:
CPU 1 CPU 2
fork hugetlbfs_fallocate
dup_mmap hugetlbfs_punch_hole
i_mmap_lock_write(mapping);
vma_interval_tree_insert_after -- Child vma is visible through i_mmap tree.
i_mmap_unlock_write(mapping);
hugetlb_dup_vma_private -- Clear vma_lock outside i_mmap_rwsem!
i_mmap_lock_write(mapping);
hugetlb_vmdelete_list
vma_interval_tree_foreach
hugetlb_vma_trylock_write -- Vma_lock is cleared.
tmp->vm_ops->open -- Alloc new vma_lock outside i_mmap_rwsem!
hugetlb_vma_unlock_write -- Vma_lock is assigned!!!
i_mmap_unlock_write(mapping);
hugetlb_dup_vma_private() and hugetlb_vm_op_open() are called outside
i_mmap_rwsem lock while vma lock can be used in the same time. Fix this
by deferring linking file vma until vma is fully initialized. Those vmas
should be initialized first before they can be used.
Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
A race condition in the Linux kernel can expose a file-backed memory area before initialization completes. A local, low-privileged user could potentially trigger memory corruption affecting confidentiality, integrity, or availability. The supplied score is 7.8 High, but the sources provide no evidence of active exploitation.
Executive priority
Treat as a high-priority kernel maintenance issue, especially on multi-user or shared-compute systems. It is not supported as an internet-remote or actively exploited threat. Schedule prompt vendor-approved updates and reboots, using normal change controls rather than emergency isolation unless local threat exposure is elevated.
Technical view
During fork(), a child file-backed VMA is inserted into the mapping interval tree before hugetlb-specific locking state is fully initialized. Concurrent hugetlbfs hole punching can access that partially initialized VMA, creating a lock race. The kernel fix delays linking the VMA until initialization completes.
Likely exposure
Exposure is limited to Linux systems running affected kernel builds where local users or workloads can reach the relevant fork, file-backed VMA, and hugetlbfs operations. The supplied affected-version data names 6.1, 6.6.134, 6.8.8, and 6.9, but does not clearly define complete version ranges.
Exploitation context
The CVSS vector requires local access and low privileges, with no user interaction. Successful exploitation could potentially cause high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact. The CVE is not listed as KEV, and the supplied sources do not document public or active exploitation.
Researcher notes
The root cause is an initialization-order race between dup_mmap and hugetlbfs hole-punch handling under i_mmap locking. Stable-tree commits are supplied for multiple branches. Exact affected and fixed boundaries are incomplete in the bundle, so branch-specific vendor package status should control exposure decisions.
Mitigation direction
Install a vendor-supported kernel containing the applicable referenced stable fix.
Consult the operating-system vendor advisory to identify the corrected package for each deployed kernel branch.
Prioritize shared systems where untrusted local users or workloads can access relevant kernel functionality.
Reboot into the corrected kernel and remove vulnerable kernels from normal boot selection.
Validation and detection
Inventory running kernel versions across Linux hosts, including virtual machines and container hosts.
Map each kernel package to vendor advisories and the applicable stable fix commit.
Verify the running kernel after reboot, not only the installed package version.
Review kernel logs for related warnings, while recognizing that no warning does not prove safety.
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
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
cve · low confidence lookup
CVE-2024-27022 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
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.
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.