CVE-2024-44974: mptcp: pm: avoid possible UaF when selecting endp
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
mptcp: pm: avoid possible UaF when selecting endp
select_local_address() and select_signal_address() both select an
endpoint entry from the list inside an RCU protected section, but return
a reference to it, to be read later on. If the entry is dereferenced
after the RCU unlock, reading info could cause a Use-after-Free.
A simple solution is to copy the required info while inside the RCU
protected section to avoid any risk of UaF later. The address ID might
need to be modified later to handle the ID0 case later, so a copy seems
OK to deal with.
Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
A Linux kernel flaw can let privileged kernel networking code access memory after it has been freed while selecting an MPTCP endpoint. A local, low-privileged attacker could potentially cause a crash or compromise confidentiality and integrity. The supplied CVSS score is 7.8, but the evidence does not confirm practical exploitation.
Executive priority
Treat this as a high-priority kernel maintenance issue on multi-user or untrusted-workload systems. Schedule prompt patching, emphasizing hosts that permit low-privileged local access. Internet exposure alone does not establish reachability because the supplied CVSS vector is local, and no active exploitation is documented.
Technical view
The MPTCP path manager returned an endpoint reference selected inside an RCU-protected section and read it after leaving that section. Concurrent removal could therefore produce a use-after-free. The kernel fix copies the required endpoint information before releasing RCU protection, avoiding the unsafe later dereference.
Likely exposure
Exposure is limited to Linux systems whose kernel falls within the vendor-defined affected ranges and can execute the relevant MPTCP path-manager address-selection code. The supplied version list is ambiguous, so administrators should use distribution-specific advisories and backport status rather than kernel version strings alone.
Exploitation context
The CVSS vector describes a local attack requiring low privileges, low complexity, and no user interaction, with potentially high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact. The source bundle marks this CVE as absent from KEV and provides no evidence of active exploitation or a public exploit.
Researcher notes
No CWE is supplied. The core condition is an RCU lifetime error involving endpoint data returned by select_local_address() and select_signal_address(). Multiple stable-kernel commits are referenced, indicating branch-specific backports. The bundle does not establish trigger reliability, exploit primitives, affected configurations, or whether each listed version is an introduction or correction boundary.
Mitigation direction
Apply the appropriate vendor or distribution kernel security update containing the upstream fix.
Reboot into the updated kernel after installation.
If immediate patching is impossible, review vendor guidance for supported temporary risk reduction.
Restrict unnecessary local account and workload access until remediation is complete.
Validation and detection
Inventory running kernel versions across affected Linux systems.
Compare each kernel against its distribution advisory and backport status.
Confirm the installed kernel contains the applicable upstream fix or vendor backport.
Verify systems are running the updated kernel after reboot.
Record any systems where MPTCP exposure or patch status cannot be determined.
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-2024-44974 mapping review
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