CVE-2024-36003: ice: fix LAG and VF lock dependency in ice_reset_vf()
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
ice: fix LAG and VF lock dependency in ice_reset_vf()
9f74a3dfcf83 ("ice: Fix VF Reset paths when interface in a failed over
aggregate"), the ice driver has acquired the LAG mutex in ice_reset_vf().
The commit placed this lock acquisition just prior to the acquisition of
the VF configuration lock.
If ice_reset_vf() acquires the configuration lock via the ICE_VF_RESET_LOCK
flag, this could deadlock with ice_vc_cfg_qs_msg() because it always
acquires the locks in the order of the VF configuration lock and then the
LAG mutex.
Lockdep reports this violation almost immediately on creating and then
removing 2 VF:
======================================================
WARNING: possible circular locking dependency detected
6.8.0-rc6 #54 Tainted: G W O
------------------------------------------------------
kworker/60:3/6771 is trying to acquire lock:
ff40d43e099380a0 (&vf->cfg_lock){+.+.}-{3:3}, at: ice_reset_vf+0x22f/0x4d0 [ice]
but task is already holding lock:
ff40d43ea1961210 (&pf->lag_mutex){+.+.}-{3:3}, at: ice_reset_vf+0xb7/0x4d0 [ice]
which lock already depends on the new lock.
the existing dependency chain (in reverse order) is:
-> #1 (&pf->lag_mutex){+.+.}-{3:3}:
__lock_acquire+0x4f8/0xb40
lock_acquire+0xd4/0x2d0
__mutex_lock+0x9b/0xbf0
ice_vc_cfg_qs_msg+0x45/0x690 [ice]
ice_vc_process_vf_msg+0x4f5/0x870 [ice]
__ice_clean_ctrlq+0x2b5/0x600 [ice]
ice_service_task+0x2c9/0x480 [ice]
process_one_work+0x1e9/0x4d0
worker_thread+0x1e1/0x3d0
kthread+0x104/0x140
ret_from_fork+0x31/0x50
ret_from_fork_asm+0x1b/0x30
-> #0 (&vf->cfg_lock){+.+.}-{3:3}:
check_prev_add+0xe2/0xc50
validate_chain+0x558/0x800
__lock_acquire+0x4f8/0xb40
lock_acquire+0xd4/0x2d0
__mutex_lock+0x9b/0xbf0
ice_reset_vf+0x22f/0x4d0 [ice]
ice_process_vflr_event+0x98/0xd0 [ice]
ice_service_task+0x1cc/0x480 [ice]
process_one_work+0x1e9/0x4d0
worker_thread+0x1e1/0x3d0
kthread+0x104/0x140
ret_from_fork+0x31/0x50
ret_from_fork_asm+0x1b/0x30
other info that might help us debug this:
Possible unsafe locking scenario:
CPU0 CPU1
---- ----
lock(&pf->lag_mutex);
lock(&vf->cfg_lock);
lock(&pf->lag_mutex);
lock(&vf->cfg_lock);
*** DEADLOCK ***
4 locks held by kworker/60:3/6771:
#0: ff40d43e05428b38 ((wq_completion)ice){+.+.}-{0:0}, at: process_one_work+0x176/0x4d0
#1: ff50d06e05197e58 ((work_completion)(&pf->serv_task)){+.+.}-{0:0}, at: process_one_work+0x176/0x4d0
#2: ff40d43ea1960e50 (&pf->vfs.table_lock){+.+.}-{3:3}, at: ice_process_vflr_event+0x48/0xd0 [ice]
#3: ff40d43ea1961210 (&pf->lag_mutex){+.+.}-{3:3}, at: ice_reset_vf+0xb7/0x4d0 [ice]
stack backtrace:
CPU: 60 PID: 6771 Comm: kworker/60:3 Tainted: G W O 6.8.0-rc6 #54
Hardware name:
Workqueue: ice ice_service_task [ice]
Call Trace:
<TASK>
dump_stack_lvl+0x4a/0x80
check_noncircular+0x12d/0x150
check_prev_add+0xe2/0xc50
? save_trace+0x59/0x230
? add_chain_cache+0x109/0x450
validate_chain+0x558/0x800
__lock_acquire+0x4f8/0xb40
? lockdep_hardirqs_on+0x7d/0x100
lock_acquire+0xd4/0x2d0
? ice_reset_vf+0x22f/0x4d0 [ice]
? lock_is_held_type+0xc7/0x120
__mutex_lock+0x9b/0xbf0
? ice_reset_vf+0x22f/0x4d0 [ice]
? ice_reset_vf+0x22f/0x4d0 [ice]
? rcu_is_watching+0x11/0x50
? ice_reset_vf+0x22f/0x4d0 [ice]
ice_reset_vf+0x22f/0x4d0 [ice]
? process_one_work+0x176/0x4d0
ice_process_vflr_event+0x98/0xd0 [ice]
ice_service_task+0x1cc/0x480 [ice]
process_one_work+0x1e9/0x4d0
worker_thread+0x1e1/0x3d0
? __pfx_worker_thread+0x10/0x10
kthread+0x104/0x140
? __pfx_kthread+0x10/0x10
ret_from_fork+0x31/0x50
? __pfx_kthread+0x10/0x10
ret_from_fork_asm+0x1b/0x30
</TASK>
To avoid deadlock, we must acquire the LAG
---truncated---
Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This is a Linux kernel reliability issue in the ice network driver. Under specific networking configurations involving link aggregation and virtual functions, two driver paths can take locks in opposite order and deadlock. The likely business impact is host networking instability or loss of service on affected systems, not confirmed remote compromise.
Executive priority
Treat this as a targeted infrastructure stability issue. Prioritize patching where affected network drivers support virtualization or aggregated links, especially on shared compute or network-heavy platforms. It is not currently supported by the provided evidence as an emergency internet-wide exploitation event.
Technical view
CVE-2024-36003 fixes a lock ordering bug in ice_reset_vf(). The LAG mutex could be acquired before the VF configuration lock, while ice_vc_cfg_qs_msg() takes the VF configuration lock before the LAG mutex. Lockdep showed a circular dependency when creating and removing virtual functions.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely on Linux hosts using the ice driver with SR-IOV virtual functions and LAG or failover aggregation behavior. General Linux systems without this driver and configuration are unlikely to be exposed based on the provided sources.
Exploitation context
The sources show a kernel deadlock condition and lockdep warning, not public exploitation. The CVE is not listed as KEV in the supplied bundle. Evidence supports a denial-of-service or reliability risk under specific driver workflows, not active exploitation.
Researcher notes
The key condition is inconsistent lock acquisition between ice_reset_vf() and ice_vc_cfg_qs_msg(). The supplied text says the fix avoids deadlock by changing LAG and VF lock dependency. The affected-version data is incomplete in the prompt, so validate exact exposure through vendor kernel advisories and commit presence.
Mitigation direction
Update to a Linux kernel containing the referenced stable fixes.
Check Linux distribution advisories for backported ice driver fixes.
Prioritize hosts using ice, SR-IOV virtual functions, and LAG together.
Avoid direct deployment shortcuts; follow normal kernel change-control and rollback planning.
Validation and detection
Inventory Linux kernel versions on hosts using the ice driver.
Confirm whether SR-IOV virtual functions are enabled on those hosts.
Check for LAG or failover aggregation involving affected interfaces.
Review kernel logs for ice lockdep warnings, VF reset issues, or deadlock symptoms.
Verify the installed kernel includes the relevant stable fix commit or vendor backport.
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
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