CVE-2024-44935: sctp: Fix null-ptr-deref in reuseport_add_sock().
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
sctp: Fix null-ptr-deref in reuseport_add_sock().
syzbot reported a null-ptr-deref while accessing sk2->sk_reuseport_cb in
reuseport_add_sock(). [0]
The repro first creates a listener with SO_REUSEPORT. Then, it creates
another listener on the same port and concurrently closes the first
listener.
The second listen() calls reuseport_add_sock() with the first listener as
sk2, where sk2->sk_reuseport_cb is not expected to be cleared concurrently,
but the close() does clear it by reuseport_detach_sock().
The problem is SCTP does not properly synchronise reuseport_alloc(),
reuseport_add_sock(), and reuseport_detach_sock().
The caller of reuseport_alloc() and reuseport_{add,detach}_sock() must
provide synchronisation for sockets that are classified into the same
reuseport group.
Otherwise, such sockets form multiple identical reuseport groups, and
all groups except one would be silently dead.
1. Two sockets call listen() concurrently
2. No socket in the same group found in sctp_ep_hashtable[]
3. Two sockets call reuseport_alloc() and form two reuseport groups
4. Only one group hit first in __sctp_rcv_lookup_endpoint() receives
incoming packets
Also, the reported null-ptr-deref could occur.
TCP/UDP guarantees that would not happen by holding the hash bucket lock.
Let's apply the locking strategy to __sctp_hash_endpoint() and
__sctp_unhash_endpoint().
[0]:
Oops: general protection fault, probably for non-canonical address 0xdffffc0000000002: 0000 [#1] PREEMPT SMP KASAN PTI
KASAN: null-ptr-deref in range [0x0000000000000010-0x0000000000000017]
CPU: 1 UID: 0 PID: 10230 Comm: syz-executor119 Not tainted 6.10.0-syzkaller-12585-g301927d2d2eb #0
Hardware name: Google Google Compute Engine/Google Compute Engine, BIOS Google 06/27/2024
RIP: 0010:reuseport_add_sock+0x27e/0x5e0 net/core/sock_reuseport.c:350
Code: 00 0f b7 5d 00 bf 01 00 00 00 89 de e8 1b a4 ff f7 83 fb 01 0f 85 a3 01 00 00 e8 6d a0 ff f7 49 8d 7e 12 48 89 f8 48 c1 e8 03 <42> 0f b6 04 28 84 c0 0f 85 4b 02 00 00 41 0f b7 5e 12 49 8d 7e 14
RSP: 0018:ffffc9000b947c98 EFLAGS: 00010202
RAX: 0000000000000002 RBX: ffff8880252ddf98 RCX: ffff888079478000
RDX: 0000000000000000 RSI: 0000000000000001 RDI: 0000000000000012
RBP: 0000000000000001 R08: ffffffff8993e18d R09: 1ffffffff1fef385
R10: dffffc0000000000 R11: fffffbfff1fef386 R12: ffff8880252ddac0
R13: dffffc0000000000 R14: 0000000000000000 R15: 0000000000000000
FS: 00007f24e45b96c0(0000) GS:ffff8880b9300000(0000) knlGS:0000000000000000
CS: 0010 DS: 0000 ES: 0000 CR0: 0000000080050033
CR2: 00007ffcced5f7b8 CR3: 00000000241be000 CR4: 00000000003506f0
DR0: 0000000000000000 DR1: 0000000000000000 DR2: 0000000000000000
DR3: 0000000000000000 DR6: 00000000fffe0ff0 DR7: 0000000000000400
Call Trace:
<TASK>
__sctp_hash_endpoint net/sctp/input.c:762 [inline]
sctp_hash_endpoint+0x52a/0x600 net/sctp/input.c:790
sctp_listen_start net/sctp/socket.c:8570 [inline]
sctp_inet_listen+0x767/0xa20 net/sctp/socket.c:8625
__sys_listen_socket net/socket.c:1883 [inline]
__sys_listen+0x1b7/0x230 net/socket.c:1894
__do_sys_listen net/socket.c:1902 [inline]
__se_sys_listen net/socket.c:1900 [inline]
__x64_sys_listen+0x5a/0x70 net/socket.c:1900
do_syscall_x64 arch/x86/entry/common.c:52 [inline]
do_syscall_64+0xf3/0x230 arch/x86/entry/common.c:83
entry_SYSCALL_64_after_hwframe+0x77/0x7f
RIP: 0033:0x7f24e46039b9
Code: 28 00 00 00 75 05 48 83 c4 28 c3 e8 91 1a 00 00 90 48 89 f8 48 89 f7 48 89 d6 48 89 ca 4d 89 c2 4d 89 c8 4c 8b 4c 24 08 0f 05 <48> 3d 01 f0 ff ff 73 01 c3 48 c7 c1 b0 ff ff ff f7 d8 64 89 01 48
RSP: 002b:00007f24e45b9228 EFLAGS: 00000246 ORIG_RAX: 0000000000000032
RAX: ffffffffffffffda RBX: 00007f24e468e428 RCX: 00007f24e46039b9
RDX: 00007f24e46039b9 RSI: 0000000000000003 RDI: 0000000000000004
RBP: 00007f24e468e420 R08: 00007f24e45b96c0 R09: 00007f24e45b96c0
R10: 00007f24e45b96c0 R11: 0000000000000246 R12: 00007f24e468e42c
R13:
---truncated---
Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This is a Linux kernel flaw in SCTP socket handling. A race between listening sockets using SO_REUSEPORT and socket close can dereference a null pointer, potentially crashing the kernel. The source bundle does not show active exploitation or a CVSS score.
Executive priority
Treat this as a kernel reliability and availability issue. Prioritize patching shared Linux hosts, container platforms, and appliances where untrusted code can open sockets. The absence of KEV listing lowers emergency pressure, but kernel crash risk still warrants planned remediation.
Technical view
SCTP did not properly synchronize reuseport_alloc(), reuseport_add_sock(), and reuseport_detach_sock() for sockets in the same reuseport group. Concurrent listen() and close() operations can clear sk_reuseport_cb while reuseport_add_sock() expects it, causing a null pointer dereference. Linux stable commits add locking in SCTP endpoint hash and unhash paths.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most plausible on affected Linux kernels where SCTP is enabled and untrusted local users, services, or containers can create SCTP listening sockets with SO_REUSEPORT. Appliances or vendor products using vulnerable Linux kernels may also be exposed; product-level details are not included in the bundle.
Exploitation context
The reported issue came from syzbot testing, not from a cited in-the-wild exploit. CISA KEV status is false in the bundle. The described trigger requires concurrent socket operations and appears primarily useful for denial of service rather than remote code execution, based on available evidence.
Researcher notes
The key condition is missing synchronization around SCTP reuseport group membership during listen and close races. The source identifies null-ptr-deref in reuseport_add_sock() and fixes by applying TCP/UDP-style hash bucket locking to __sctp_hash_endpoint() and __sctp_unhash_endpoint().
Mitigation direction
Update to a Linux stable kernel containing the referenced SCTP reuseport locking fix.
Check distribution advisories, including Debian LTS notices, for packaged kernel updates.
For appliances, follow the relevant vendor advisory before applying firmware or kernel changes.
Where feasible, limit SCTP socket use by untrusted workloads until patched.
Do not deploy custom kernel workarounds without vendor or distribution guidance.
Validation and detection
Inventory Linux kernel versions against the affected and fixed ranges in the CVE record.
Confirm whether SCTP support is enabled and reachable in production kernels.
Check whether untrusted users or containers can create SCTP listening sockets.
Verify the running kernel includes one of the referenced stable commits or distribution backports.
Review vendor advisories for embedded or industrial products that ship Linux kernels.
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-2024-44935 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.