CVE-2024-47741: btrfs: fix race setting file private on concurrent lseek using same fd
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
btrfs: fix race setting file private on concurrent lseek using same fd
When doing concurrent lseek(2) system calls against the same file
descriptor, using multiple threads belonging to the same process, we have
a short time window where a race happens and can result in a memory leak.
The race happens like this:
1) A program opens a file descriptor for a file and then spawns two
threads (with the pthreads library for example), lets call them
task A and task B;
2) Task A calls lseek with SEEK_DATA or SEEK_HOLE and ends up at
file.c:find_desired_extent() while holding a read lock on the inode;
3) At the start of find_desired_extent(), it extracts the file's
private_data pointer into a local variable named 'private', which has
a value of NULL;
4) Task B also calls lseek with SEEK_DATA or SEEK_HOLE, locks the inode
in shared mode and enters file.c:find_desired_extent(), where it also
extracts file->private_data into its local variable 'private', which
has a NULL value;
5) Because it saw a NULL file private, task A allocates a private
structure and assigns to the file structure;
6) Task B also saw a NULL file private so it also allocates its own file
private and then assigns it to the same file structure, since both
tasks are using the same file descriptor.
At this point we leak the private structure allocated by task A.
Besides the memory leak, there's also the detail that both tasks end up
using the same cached state record in the private structure (struct
btrfs_file_private::llseek_cached_state), which can result in a
use-after-free problem since one task can free it while the other is
still using it (only one task took a reference count on it). Also, sharing
the cached state is not a good idea since it could result in incorrect
results in the future - right now it should not be a problem because it
end ups being used only in extent-io-tree.c:count_range_bits() where we do
range validation before using the cached state.
Fix this by protecting the private assignment and check of a file while
holding the inode's spinlock and keep track of the task that allocated
the private, so that it's used only by that task in order to prevent
user-after-free issues with the cached state record as well as potentially
using it incorrectly in the future.
Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
A race in Linux Btrfs can occur when threads in one process concurrently seek through the same open file. It can leak kernel memory and create a use-after-free condition, potentially compromising confidentiality, integrity, or availability. Exploitation requires local, low-privileged access; the supplied evidence does not establish active exploitation.
Executive priority
Treat this as a high-priority kernel maintenance issue on multi-user or shared-workload Btrfs systems. It is less urgent for systems without Btrfs or without untrusted local code execution. There is no supplied evidence of active exploitation, so prioritize through normal risk-based emergency patching rather than incident response alone.
Technical view
Concurrent SEEK_DATA or SEEK_HOLE operations on a shared file descriptor can both observe NULL file private data, allocate competing structures, and overwrite one allocation. This leaks memory and can make threads share cached state without adequate reference ownership, enabling use-after-free. The upstream fix serializes private-data assignment and limits cached state to its allocating task.
Likely exposure
Exposure is limited to Linux systems using affected kernels and Btrfs, where a local user or workload can execute code and trigger concurrent lseek operations on one descriptor. The supplied affected-version metadata is ambiguous and insufficient for reliable distribution package mapping, so vendor-specific verification is necessary.
Exploitation context
The CVSS 3.1 score is 7.8 with local access, low complexity, low privileges, and no user interaction. The bundle marks the CVE as absent from KEV and provides no cited evidence of exploitation in the wild or a public weaponized exploit.
Researcher notes
The security-relevant outcome is the potential use-after-free; the memory leak is secondary. Current cached-state range validation may limit incorrect-result behavior, but the source does not claim it prevents memory-safety impact. Exact vulnerable introduction and fixed package boundaries cannot be confidently derived from the supplied version list; analyze the four stable commits and distribution backports.
Mitigation direction
Update to a vendor-supported kernel release containing the applicable upstream fix for CVE-2024-47741.
Prioritize Btrfs systems where untrusted or lower-privileged users can execute local code.
If immediate updating is impossible, consult distribution guidance; the supplied sources name no separate mitigation.
Reduce unnecessary local workload access as temporary risk reduction, recognizing this does not remove the flaw.
Validation and detection
Inventory running kernel versions and identify hosts actively mounting or using Btrfs filesystems.
Map distribution kernel packages to the cited stable-kernel fixes or applicable vendor advisories.
Confirm the fixed kernel is running after reboot, not merely installed on disk.
Review vendor guidance because the bundle does not provide dependable package-level affected boundaries.
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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