CVE-2024-47706: block, bfq: fix possible UAF for bfqq->bic with merge chain
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
block, bfq: fix possible UAF for bfqq->bic with merge chain
1) initial state, three tasks:
Process 1 Process 2 Process 3
(BIC1) (BIC2) (BIC3)
| Λ | Λ | Λ
| | | | | |
V | V | V |
bfqq1 bfqq2 bfqq3
process ref: 1 1 1
2) bfqq1 merged to bfqq2:
Process 1 Process 2 Process 3
(BIC1) (BIC2) (BIC3)
| | | Λ
\--------------\| | |
V V |
bfqq1--------->bfqq2 bfqq3
process ref: 0 2 1
3) bfqq2 merged to bfqq3:
Process 1 Process 2 Process 3
(BIC1) (BIC2) (BIC3)
here -> Λ | |
\--------------\ \-------------\|
V V
bfqq1--------->bfqq2---------->bfqq3
process ref: 0 1 3
In this case, IO from Process 1 will get bfqq2 from BIC1 first, and then
get bfqq3 through merge chain, and finially handle IO by bfqq3.
Howerver, current code will think bfqq2 is owned by BIC1, like initial
state, and set bfqq2->bic to BIC1.
bfq_insert_request
-> by Process 1
bfqq = bfq_init_rq(rq)
bfqq = bfq_get_bfqq_handle_split
bfqq = bic_to_bfqq
-> get bfqq2 from BIC1
bfqq->ref++
rq->elv.priv[0] = bic
rq->elv.priv[1] = bfqq
if (bfqq_process_refs(bfqq) == 1)
bfqq->bic = bic
-> record BIC1 to bfqq2
__bfq_insert_request
new_bfqq = bfq_setup_cooperator
-> get bfqq3 from bfqq2->new_bfqq
bfqq_request_freed(bfqq)
new_bfqq->ref++
rq->elv.priv[1] = new_bfqq
-> handle IO by bfqq3
Fix the problem by checking bfqq is from merge chain fist. And this
might fix a following problem reported by our syzkaller(unreproducible):
==================================================================
BUG: KASAN: slab-use-after-free in bfq_do_early_stable_merge block/bfq-iosched.c:5692 [inline]
BUG: KASAN: slab-use-after-free in bfq_do_or_sched_stable_merge block/bfq-iosched.c:5805 [inline]
BUG: KASAN: slab-use-after-free in bfq_get_queue+0x25b0/0x2610 block/bfq-iosched.c:5889
Write of size 1 at addr ffff888123839eb8 by task kworker/0:1H/18595
CPU: 0 PID: 18595 Comm: kworker/0:1H Tainted: G L 6.6.0-07439-gba2303cacfda #6
Hardware name: QEMU Standard PC (i440FX + PIIX, 1996), BIOS rel-1.14.0-0-g155821a1990b-prebuilt.qemu.org 04/01/2014
Workqueue: kblockd blk_mq_requeue_work
Call Trace:
<TASK>
__dump_stack lib/dump_stack.c:88 [inline]
dump_stack_lvl+0x91/0xf0 lib/dump_stack.c:106
print_address_description mm/kasan/report.c:364 [inline]
print_report+0x10d/0x610 mm/kasan/report.c:475
kasan_report+0x8e/0xc0 mm/kasan/report.c:588
bfq_do_early_stable_merge block/bfq-iosched.c:5692 [inline]
bfq_do_or_sched_stable_merge block/bfq-iosched.c:5805 [inline]
bfq_get_queue+0x25b0/0x2610 block/bfq-iosched.c:5889
bfq_get_bfqq_handle_split+0x169/0x5d0 block/bfq-iosched.c:6757
bfq_init_rq block/bfq-iosched.c:6876 [inline]
bfq_insert_request block/bfq-iosched.c:6254 [inline]
bfq_insert_requests+0x1112/0x5cf0 block/bfq-iosched.c:6304
blk_mq_insert_request+0x290/0x8d0 block/blk-mq.c:2593
blk_mq_requeue_work+0x6bc/0xa70 block/blk-mq.c:1502
process_one_work kernel/workqueue.c:2627 [inline]
process_scheduled_works+0x432/0x13f0 kernel/workqueue.c:2700
worker_thread+0x6f2/0x1160 kernel/workqueue.c:2781
kthread+0x33c/0x440 kernel/kthread.c:388
ret_from_fork+0x4d/0x80 arch/x86/kernel/process.c:147
ret_from_fork_asm+0x1b/0x30 arch/x86/entry/entry_64.S:305
</TASK>
Allocated by task 20776:
kasan_save_stack+0x20/0x40 mm/kasan/common.c:45
kasan_set_track+0x25/0x30 mm/kasan/common.c:52
__kasan_slab_alloc+0x87/0x90 mm/kasan/common.c:328
kasan_slab_alloc include/linux/kasan.h:188 [inline]
slab_post_alloc_hook mm/slab.h:763 [inline]
slab_alloc_node mm/slub.c:3458 [inline]
kmem_cache_alloc_node+0x1a4/0x6f0 mm/slub.c:3503
ioc_create_icq block/blk-ioc.c:370 [inline]
---truncated---
Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
A flaw in Linux’s BFQ disk I/O scheduler can leave an internal reference pointing to freed memory during chained queue merges. A local, low-privileged user may be able to trigger kernel memory corruption, potentially causing a crash or compromising confidentiality and integrity. The supplied CVSS score is 7.8.
Executive priority
Treat this as a high-priority kernel maintenance issue, especially on shared systems with untrusted local users or workloads. It is not documented as remotely exploitable or actively exploited. Patch through normal emergency kernel procedures after confirming vendor applicability, then verify that systems rebooted into the corrected build.
Technical view
BFQ can incorrectly associate a merged queue with the originating I/O context after following a multi-queue merge chain. That context may later be freed while the stale pointer remains, producing a slab use-after-free. The kernel fix checks whether the queue came through a merge chain before updating the association.
Likely exposure
Exposure is limited to Linux kernels containing the vulnerable BFQ code and workloads capable of reaching the affected queue-merge path. The CVSS vector requires local access and low privileges. The supplied version data is flattened and does not establish dependable package-level ranges; confirm exposure using distribution or device-vendor advisories.
Exploitation context
The bundle marks this CVE as absent from CISA KEV and provides no evidence of active exploitation or a public exploit. The reported KASAN failure came from syzkaller and was described as unreproducible. Consequently, real-world exploitability and reliability remain uncertain despite the potentially severe kernel-memory impact.
Researcher notes
The suspected stale reference is bfqq->bic during chained bfqq merges. The fix prevents reassignment when the queue originated from a merge chain. KASAN observed a slab use-after-free in BFQ stable-merge and queue-selection functions, but the report was unreproducible and the source says the fix might address it. No exploit mechanics should be inferred from that report alone.
Mitigation direction
Install a vendor-supported kernel containing the applicable referenced stable fix.
Reboot affected systems so the corrected kernel is actually running.
Prioritize multi-user systems and hosts permitting untrusted local workloads.
Consult distribution or device-vendor guidance for exact fixed package versions.
Use only vendor-approved temporary mitigations if immediate kernel replacement is impossible.
Validation and detection
Record each system’s running kernel build, distribution, and vendor package revision.
Determine whether the deployed kernel includes BFQ and uses the affected code path.
Compare installed packages with authoritative vendor advisories or referenced stable commits.
After remediation, verify the system booted into the updated kernel.
Review kernel diagnostics for BFQ-related use-after-free or unexpected crashes.
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Potential ATT&CK relevance
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