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CVE Record

CVE-2024-43853: cgroup/cpuset: Prevent UAF in proc_cpuset_show()

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: cgroup/cpuset: Prevent UAF in proc_cpuset_show() An UAF can happen when /proc/cpuset is read as reported in [1]. This can be reproduced by the following methods: 1.add an mdelay(1000) before acquiring the cgroup_lock In the cgroup_path_ns function. 2.$cat /proc/<pid>/cpuset repeatly. 3.$mount -t cgroup -o cpuset cpuset /sys/fs/cgroup/cpuset/ $umount /sys/fs/cgroup/cpuset/ repeatly. The race that cause this bug can be shown as below: (umount) | (cat /proc/<pid>/cpuset) css_release | proc_cpuset_show css_release_work_fn | css = task_get_css(tsk, cpuset_cgrp_id); css_free_rwork_fn | cgroup_path_ns(css->cgroup, ...); cgroup_destroy_root | mutex_lock(&cgroup_mutex); rebind_subsystems | cgroup_free_root | | // cgrp was freed, UAF | cgroup_path_ns_locked(cgrp,..); When the cpuset is initialized, the root node top_cpuset.css.cgrp will point to &cgrp_dfl_root.cgrp. In cgroup v1, the mount operation will allocate cgroup_root, and top_cpuset.css.cgrp will point to the allocated &cgroup_root.cgrp. When the umount operation is executed, top_cpuset.css.cgrp will be rebound to &cgrp_dfl_root.cgrp. The problem is that when rebinding to cgrp_dfl_root, there are cases where the cgroup_root allocated by setting up the root for cgroup v1 is cached. This could lead to a Use-After-Free (UAF) if it is subsequently freed. The descendant cgroups of cgroup v1 can only be freed after the css is released. However, the css of the root will never be released, yet the cgroup_root should be freed when it is unmounted. This means that obtaining a reference to the css of the root does not guarantee that css.cgrp->root will not be freed. Fix this problem by using rcu_read_lock in proc_cpuset_show(). As cgroup_root is kfree_rcu after commit d23b5c577715 ("cgroup: Make operations on the cgroup root_list RCU safe"), css->cgroup won't be freed during the critical section. To call cgroup_path_ns_locked, css_set_lock is needed, so it is safe to replace task_get_css with task_css. [1] https://syzkaller.appspot.com/bug?extid=9b1ff7be974a403aa4cd

HighCVSS 7Not KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

A race in the Linux cpuset subsystem can access kernel memory after it has been freed. Triggering requires local access and precise timing, but successful abuse could affect confidentiality, integrity, or availability. This is not described as a remotely exploitable flaw.

Executive priority

Treat this as a high-priority kernel update, especially on multi-user systems or hosts running untrusted local workloads. It does not warrant internet-exposure emergency handling based on current evidence, but kernel memory-safety defects can have serious consequences. Accelerate remediation where cgroup v1 cpuset is actively used.

Technical view

While proc_cpuset_show() reads a task's cpuset path, concurrent unmounting and rebinding of a cgroup v1 cpuset root can free a cached cgroup_root, causing a use-after-free. The kernel fix protects the read with RCU so the referenced cgroup is not freed during the critical section.

Likely exposure

The bundle marks multiple Linux kernel releases from 4.6 through 6.11 branches as affected, but its flattened version data does not clearly define branch-specific boundaries. Prioritize systems using cgroup v1 cpuset mounts and allowing low-privileged local access. Confirm exposure through the relevant distribution advisory.

Exploitation context

The supplied record is not in KEV, and no cited source reports active exploitation. The issue was reported through syzkaller and has a documented race-based reproduction. CVSS 3.1 rates it 7.0 with local access, low privileges, high complexity, and no user interaction required.

Researcher notes

The vulnerable lifetime assumption is that holding the root cpuset CSS protects css.cgroup and its root. Root CSS persists, but the separately allocated cgroup_root can be freed during unmount. The correction uses rcu_read_lock() around path resolution, relying on RCU-delayed freeing. Practical privilege escalation has not been demonstrated by the supplied sources.

Mitigation direction

  • Apply a vendor-supported kernel update containing the applicable upstream stable fix.
  • Consult distribution advisories to identify corrected kernel packages for each deployed release.
  • Prioritize systems using cgroup v1 cpuset or allowing untrusted local workloads.
  • Restrict unnecessary local access and cgroup-management privileges while updates are pending.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory running kernel versions and compare them with vendor advisories for CVE-2024-43853.
  • Verify the installed kernel package or source contains its corresponding stable fix.
  • Identify systems using cgroup v1 cpuset mounts and permitting low-privileged local access.
  • Confirm the corrected kernel is running after maintenance.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
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-2024-43853 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
High
CVSS
7 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

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

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
11Source 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
7CVSS 3.1HighCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H15.9Linux

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

7High
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2024-43853Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

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

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
other:ssvc
CVECVE Program Container
Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinuxa79a908fd2b080977b45bf103184b81c9d11ad07, a79a908fd2b080977b45bf103184b81c9d11ad07, a79a908fd2b080977b45bf103184b81c9d11ad07, a79a908fd2b080977b45bf103184b81c9d11ad07, a79a908fd2b080977b45bf103184b81c9d11ad07, a79a908fd2b080977b45bf103184b81c9d11ad07, a79a908fd2b080977b45bf103184b81c9d11ad07, a79a908fd2b080977b45bf103184b81c9d11ad07unaffected
LinuxLinux4.6, 0, 4.19.321, 5.4.283, 5.10.225, 5.15.166, 6.1.103, 6.6.44, 6.10.3, 6.11affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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