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CVE Record

CVE-2024-35970: af_unix: Clear stale u->oob_skb.

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: af_unix: Clear stale u->oob_skb. syzkaller started to report deadlock of unix_gc_lock after commit 4090fa373f0e ("af_unix: Replace garbage collection algorithm."), but it just uncovers the bug that has been there since commit 314001f0bf92 ("af_unix: Add OOB support"). The repro basically does the following. from socket import * from array import array c1, c2 = socketpair(AF_UNIX, SOCK_STREAM) c1.sendmsg([b'a'], [(SOL_SOCKET, SCM_RIGHTS, array("i", [c2.fileno()]))], MSG_OOB) c2.recv(1) # blocked as no normal data in recv queue c2.close() # done async and unblock recv() c1.close() # done async and trigger GC A socket sends its file descriptor to itself as OOB data and tries to receive normal data, but finally recv() fails due to async close(). The problem here is wrong handling of OOB skb in manage_oob(). When recvmsg() is called without MSG_OOB, manage_oob() is called to check if the peeked skb is OOB skb. In such a case, manage_oob() pops it out of the receive queue but does not clear unix_sock(sk)->oob_skb. This is wrong in terms of uAPI. Let's say we send "hello" with MSG_OOB, and "world" without MSG_OOB. The 'o' is handled as OOB data. When recv() is called twice without MSG_OOB, the OOB data should be lost. >>> from socket import * >>> c1, c2 = socketpair(AF_UNIX, SOCK_STREAM, 0) >>> c1.send(b'hello', MSG_OOB) # 'o' is OOB data 5 >>> c1.send(b'world') 5 >>> c2.recv(5) # OOB data is not received b'hell' >>> c2.recv(5) # OOB date is skipped b'world' >>> c2.recv(5, MSG_OOB) # This should return an error b'o' In the same situation, TCP actually returns -EINVAL for the last recv(). Also, if we do not clear unix_sk(sk)->oob_skb, unix_poll() always set EPOLLPRI even though the data has passed through by previous recv(). To avoid these issues, we must clear unix_sk(sk)->oob_skb when dequeuing it from recv queue. The reason why the old GC did not trigger the deadlock is because the old GC relied on the receive queue to detect the loop. When it is triggered, the socket with OOB data is marked as GC candidate because file refcount == inflight count (1). However, after traversing all inflight sockets, the socket still has a positive inflight count (1), thus the socket is excluded from candidates. Then, the old GC lose the chance to garbage-collect the socket. With the old GC, the repro continues to create true garbage that will never be freed nor detected by kmemleak as it's linked to the global inflight list. That's why we couldn't even notice the issue.

MediumCVSS 6.3Not KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This Linux kernel flaw mishandles out-of-band data on Unix domain stream sockets, leaving stale kernel state. A local authenticated actor or workload could potentially affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability at low impact levels. The CVE is not listed as KEV, and the provided sources do not show real-world exploitation.

Executive priority

Schedule remediation in normal high-priority kernel maintenance, faster for shared or multi-tenant Linux infrastructure. Business urgency is moderate because impact is limited, but kernel flaws can affect broad infrastructure once local execution exists.

Technical view

The af_unix code failed to clear unix_sock(sk)->oob_skb when dequeuing OOB data during non-MSG_OOB recvmsg handling. This caused incorrect API behavior, persistent EPOLLPRI signaling, and garbage-collection issues exposed by syzkaller after a GC algorithm change. Stable kernel commits address the stale pointer/state cleanup.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most relevant on Linux systems running affected kernel versions or branches with AF_UNIX OOB support, especially shared hosts, multi-user servers, and container platforms where untrusted workloads share the host kernel.

Exploitation context

The source bundle describes a syzkaller-triggered reproducer and kernel logic flaw. It does not cite public exploitation in the wild. KEV is false, so treat this as a patching and exposure-management issue rather than confirmed active attack activity.

Researcher notes

Focus validation on AF_UNIX OOB handling and whether stable fixes are backported by the distribution. The provided record has no CWE and incomplete product granularity, so rely on vendor kernel advisories for precise affected and fixed package ranges.

Mitigation direction

  • Update to a vendor kernel containing the referenced stable fixes.
  • Prioritize shared Linux hosts and container platforms with untrusted workloads.
  • Reboot systems so the fixed kernel is actually running.
  • Track distribution advisories for exact package names and fixed builds.
  • Limit untrusted local execution where patching is delayed.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory running Linux kernel versions across servers and container hosts.
  • Confirm vendor advisories map installed packages to CVE-2024-35970 fixes.
  • Verify the active booted kernel after maintenance reboot.
  • Check vulnerability scanner results for stale kernel package detections.
  • Review whether exposed systems allow untrusted local users or workloads.
Prepared
Confidence
high
Sources
7

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-2024-35970 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Medium
CVSS
6.3 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L

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.

1CVSS vectors
3Timeline events
2ADP providers
6Source links

SSVC decision data

CISA-ADPCISA Coordinator
Timestamp
Version
2.0.3
Exploitation: noneAutomatable: noTechnical Impact: partial

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.

ScoreVersionSeverityVectorExploitImpactSource
6.3CVSS 3.1MediumCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L2.83.4CISA-ADP

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

6.3Medium
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2024-35970Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L

Attack Vector
NetworkAdjacentLocalPhysical
Attack Complexity
LowHigh
Privileges Required
NoneLowHigh
User Interaction
NoneRequired
Scope
ChangedUnchanged
Confidentiality Impact
HighLowNone
Integrity Impact
HighLowNone
Availability Impact
HighLowNone

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.

ADP provider summaries

CISA-ADPCISA ADP Vulnrichment
cvssV3_1other:ssvc
CVECVE Program Container
Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinux314001f0bf927015e459c9d387d62a231fe93af3, 314001f0bf927015e459c9d387d62a231fe93af3, 314001f0bf927015e459c9d387d62a231fe93af3, 314001f0bf927015e459c9d387d62a231fe93af3, 314001f0bf927015e459c9d387d62a231fe93af3unaffected
LinuxLinux5.15, 0, 5.15.156, 6.1.87, 6.6.28, 6.8.7, 6.9affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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