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CVE Record

CVE-2024-42307: cifs: fix potential null pointer use in destroy_workqueue in init_cifs error path

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: cifs: fix potential null pointer use in destroy_workqueue in init_cifs error path Dan Carpenter reported a Smack static checker warning: fs/smb/client/cifsfs.c:1981 init_cifs() error: we previously assumed 'serverclose_wq' could be null (see line 1895) The patch which introduced the serverclose workqueue used the wrong oredering in error paths in init_cifs() for freeing it on errors.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysisunknown

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This is a Linux kernel defect in the CIFS/SMB client initialization error path. Under an initialization failure, cleanup could reference a null workqueue pointer. Business impact is unclear from the sources because no CVSS score, exploitation evidence, or concrete attack scenario is provided.

Executive priority

Treat as routine kernel hygiene unless local exposure or vendor guidance raises urgency. Patch through normal Linux maintenance, with priority for file-sharing clients and production systems dependent on SMB mounts.

Technical view

The issue is in fs/smb/client/cifsfs.c init_cifs(). A workqueue introduced for serverclose handling was freed in the wrong order on error paths, creating potential null pointer use in destroy_workqueue. Kernel stable commits are referenced as fixes across affected branches.

Likely exposure

Potentially exposed assets are Linux systems running affected kernel builds with CIFS/SMB client support, especially systems that mount SMB shares. Confirm exposure through vendor kernel package status because distributors may backport fixes without changing upstream version numbers.

Exploitation context

The provided bundle does not show active exploitation, and KEV is false. The sources describe a static-checker finding and a kernel error-path bug, not a confirmed remote exploit or weaponized technique.

Researcher notes

Evidence is limited to the CVE text, upstream stable commits, and a Debian LTS advisory. No CVSS, CWE, exploit status, or detailed attack prerequisites are provided in the bundle, so avoid assuming reachability or impact beyond the kernel cleanup flaw.

Mitigation direction

  • Apply vendor kernel updates that include the referenced Linux stable fixes.
  • Review Debian LTS guidance if running affected Debian kernel packages.
  • Prioritize systems using CIFS/SMB client mounts or related automation.
  • If no update is available, follow vendor guidance and monitor advisories.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory running kernel versions and distribution package releases.
  • Check whether kernels include one of the referenced stable fix commits.
  • Identify systems using CIFS/SMB mounts or loading the cifs module.
  • Confirm no source in the bundle reports active exploitation.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
7

Public sources used

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

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CVE-2024-42307 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Unknown
CVSS
Not scored
Known Exploited
No
Published
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.

0CVSS vectors
3Timeline events
2ADP providers
6Source links

SSVC decision data

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

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
other:ssvc
CVECVE Program Container

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinux8c99dfb49bdc17edffc7ff3d46b400c8c291686c, 6f17163b9339fac92023a1d9bef22128db3b9a4b, 173217bd73365867378b5e75a86f0049e1069ee8, 173217bd73365867378b5e75a86f0049e1069ee8, 40a5d14c9d3b585d55d3209fb5efe202dcaac926, 6.1.85, 6.6.26, 6.8.5unaffected
LinuxLinux6.9, 0, 6.1.103, 6.6.44, 6.10.3, 6.11affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.