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CVE Record

CVE-2024-46738: VMCI: Fix use-after-free when removing resource in vmci_resource_remove()

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: VMCI: Fix use-after-free when removing resource in vmci_resource_remove() When removing a resource from vmci_resource_table in vmci_resource_remove(), the search is performed using the resource handle by comparing context and resource fields. It is possible though to create two resources with different types but same handle (same context and resource fields). When trying to remove one of the resources, vmci_resource_remove() may not remove the intended one, but the object will still be freed as in the case of the datagram type in vmci_datagram_destroy_handle(). vmci_resource_table will still hold a pointer to this freed resource leading to a use-after-free vulnerability. BUG: KASAN: use-after-free in vmci_handle_is_equal include/linux/vmw_vmci_defs.h:142 [inline] BUG: KASAN: use-after-free in vmci_resource_remove+0x3a1/0x410 drivers/misc/vmw_vmci/vmci_resource.c:147 Read of size 4 at addr ffff88801c16d800 by task syz-executor197/1592 Call Trace: <TASK> __dump_stack lib/dump_stack.c:88 [inline] dump_stack_lvl+0x82/0xa9 lib/dump_stack.c:106 print_address_description.constprop.0+0x21/0x366 mm/kasan/report.c:239 __kasan_report.cold+0x7f/0x132 mm/kasan/report.c:425 kasan_report+0x38/0x51 mm/kasan/report.c:442 vmci_handle_is_equal include/linux/vmw_vmci_defs.h:142 [inline] vmci_resource_remove+0x3a1/0x410 drivers/misc/vmw_vmci/vmci_resource.c:147 vmci_qp_broker_detach+0x89a/0x11b9 drivers/misc/vmw_vmci/vmci_queue_pair.c:2182 ctx_free_ctx+0x473/0xbe1 drivers/misc/vmw_vmci/vmci_context.c:444 kref_put include/linux/kref.h:65 [inline] vmci_ctx_put drivers/misc/vmw_vmci/vmci_context.c:497 [inline] vmci_ctx_destroy+0x170/0x1d6 drivers/misc/vmw_vmci/vmci_context.c:195 vmci_host_close+0x125/0x1ac drivers/misc/vmw_vmci/vmci_host.c:143 __fput+0x261/0xa34 fs/file_table.c:282 task_work_run+0xf0/0x194 kernel/task_work.c:164 tracehook_notify_resume include/linux/tracehook.h:189 [inline] exit_to_user_mode_loop+0x184/0x189 kernel/entry/common.c:187 exit_to_user_mode_prepare+0x11b/0x123 kernel/entry/common.c:220 __syscall_exit_to_user_mode_work kernel/entry/common.c:302 [inline] syscall_exit_to_user_mode+0x18/0x42 kernel/entry/common.c:313 do_syscall_64+0x41/0x85 arch/x86/entry/common.c:86 entry_SYSCALL_64_after_hwframe+0x6e/0x0 This change ensures the type is also checked when removing the resource from vmci_resource_table in vmci_resource_remove().

HighCVSS 7.8Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

A Linux VMware VMCI resource-management flaw can leave the kernel referencing freed memory. A local, low-privileged user may be able to trigger memory corruption without user interaction, potentially affecting confidentiality, integrity, or availability. The supplied evidence does not establish real-world exploitation.

Executive priority

Treat as a high-priority kernel maintenance issue, especially for shared systems permitting untrusted local access. Schedule tested kernel updates promptly, but avoid declaring an incident solely from vulnerability presence because active exploitation is not evidenced.

Technical view

vmci_resource_remove() matched resources using context and resource identifiers but omitted resource type. Two differently typed resources could share a handle, causing removal of the wrong entry while the intended object was freed. The table then retained a dangling pointer, producing a kernel use-after-free. The fix includes resource type in the comparison.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most likely on systems running affected Linux kernels where VMware VMCI functionality is present and reachable by a local low-privileged user. The supplied version metadata spans releases from 3.9 through 6.11, but distribution backports may alter status. Confirm using the running kernel and vendor package guidance.

Exploitation context

CVSS 3.1 scores this 7.8: local access, low privileges, low complexity, and no user interaction, with potentially high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact. It is not listed as KEV, and the supplied sources provide no evidence of active exploitation or a public weaponized exploit.

Researcher notes

The demonstrated failure is a KASAN-detected read-after-free during VMCI resource removal and later comparison. Root cause and patch direction are clear. Exact exploitability, reachable configurations, and affected distribution package boundaries are not fully established by the bundle; distribution backports require separate confirmation.

Mitigation direction

  • Upgrade to a distribution kernel containing the upstream stable fix for CVE-2024-46738.
  • Reboot into the updated kernel; installing a package alone does not replace the running kernel.
  • If upgrading is delayed, consult distribution guidance; the supplied sources name no supported workaround.
  • Prioritize exposed multi-user or workload-hosting systems where untrusted local users can reach VMCI functionality.

Validation and detection

  • Record the running kernel version and identify whether VMware VMCI drivers or interfaces are present.
  • Compare the installed package against distribution advisories and the referenced upstream stable commits.
  • After remediation, verify the system booted the intended fixed kernel.
  • Review kernel logs for VMCI-related crashes or memory-safety reports, while recognizing absence does not prove safety.
Prepared
Confidence
high
Sources
5

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.

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CVE-2024-46738 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
High
CVSS
7.8 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/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
7.8CVSS 3.1HighCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H1.85.9Linux

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

7.8High
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2024-46738Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/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

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinuxbc63dedb7d46a7d690c6b6edf69136b88af06cc6, bc63dedb7d46a7d690c6b6edf69136b88af06cc6, bc63dedb7d46a7d690c6b6edf69136b88af06cc6, bc63dedb7d46a7d690c6b6edf69136b88af06cc6, bc63dedb7d46a7d690c6b6edf69136b88af06cc6, bc63dedb7d46a7d690c6b6edf69136b88af06cc6, bc63dedb7d46a7d690c6b6edf69136b88af06cc6, bc63dedb7d46a7d690c6b6edf69136b88af06cc6unaffected
LinuxLinux3.9, 0, 4.19.322, 5.4.284, 5.10.226, 5.15.167, 6.1.110, 6.6.51, 6.10.10, 6.11affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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