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CVE Record

CVE-2024-46695: selinux,smack: don't bypass permissions check in inode_setsecctx hook

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: selinux,smack: don't bypass permissions check in inode_setsecctx hook Marek Gresko reports that the root user on an NFS client is able to change the security labels on files on an NFS filesystem that is exported with root squashing enabled. The end of the kerneldoc comment for __vfs_setxattr_noperm() states: * This function requires the caller to lock the inode's i_mutex before it * is executed. It also assumes that the caller will make the appropriate * permission checks. nfsd_setattr() does do permissions checking via fh_verify() and nfsd_permission(), but those don't do all the same permissions checks that are done by security_inode_setxattr() and its related LSM hooks do. Since nfsd_setattr() is the only consumer of security_inode_setsecctx(), simplest solution appears to be to replace the call to __vfs_setxattr_noperm() with a call to __vfs_setxattr_locked(). This fixes the above issue and has the added benefit of causing nfsd to recall conflicting delegations on a file when a client tries to change its security label.

CriticalCVSS 9.8Not KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysiscritical

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

A root user on an allowed NFS client may alter SELinux or Smack security labels on files even when the server uses root squashing. Because these labels enforce access controls, unauthorized changes could weaken protection or disrupt workloads. The supplied 9.8 score is severe, but practical risk concentrates on affected NFS environments using security labels.

Executive priority

Treat this as urgent for NFS servers using SELinux or Smack, especially sensitive shared storage. Confirm exposure and patch through supported kernel packages promptly. Organizations without NFS exports or relevant labeling have lower practical exposure, but should document that conclusion rather than relying only on the headline score.

Technical view

The NFS server security-context path used a no-permission extended-attribute helper without performing the complete checks expected from SELinux and Smack hooks. Consequently, root squashing did not prevent a client-side root user from changing file security labels. The upstream correction uses the locked extended-attribute path, restoring permission checks and recalling conflicting file delegations.

Likely exposure

Likely exposure is limited to NFS servers running affected Linux kernels, serving reachable exports, and relying on SELinux or Smack file labels. Root-squashed exports are specifically implicated. The supplied version data is ambiguous, so distribution backport status and applicable stable commits must determine exposure.

Exploitation context

The bundle provides no evidence of active exploitation and marks KEV false. Abuse requires access to a vulnerable NFS export from a client where the attacker controls root. The sources do not establish public exploit availability or observed campaigns.

Researcher notes

The affected-version data mixes release numbers and commit identifiers and is not a reliable fixed-version table. Determine status from the running distribution's advisory or backport record and the applicable upstream stable commit. The supplied description also states that the fix recalls conflicting delegations during label changes.

Mitigation direction

  • Upgrade to a vendor-supported kernel containing the applicable stable fix for CVE-2024-46695.
  • Follow the Linux distributor's advisory to confirm the correct patched package or backport.
  • Until patched, restrict NFS access to trusted clients and tightly limit reachable NFS services.
  • Investigate unauthorized or unexpected changes to SELinux or Smack labels on exported files.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory kernel versions on NFS servers and compare them with vendor advisories and listed stable commits.
  • Identify root-squashed NFS exports whose files are protected by SELinux or Smack labels.
  • Confirm installed kernels include applicable fixes or distributor backports; version strings alone may not prove remediation.
  • Review security and NFS audit records for unexpected label changes originating from client activity.
  • After patching, perform an authorized regression test confirming client root cannot alter protected security labels.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
8

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-2024-46695 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Critical
CVSS
9.8 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/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
9Source 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
9.8CVSS 3.1CriticalCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H3.95.9Linux

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

9.8Critical
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2024-46695Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/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
LinuxLinux18032ca062e621e15683cb61c066ef3dc5414a7b, 18032ca062e621e15683cb61c066ef3dc5414a7b, 18032ca062e621e15683cb61c066ef3dc5414a7b, 18032ca062e621e15683cb61c066ef3dc5414a7b, 18032ca062e621e15683cb61c066ef3dc5414a7b, 18032ca062e621e15683cb61c066ef3dc5414a7bunaffected
LinuxLinux3.11, 0, 5.10.227, 5.15.168, 6.1.113, 6.6.49, 6.10.8, 6.11affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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