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CVE Record

CVE-2024-47794: bpf: Prevent tailcall infinite loop caused by freplace

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: bpf: Prevent tailcall infinite loop caused by freplace There is a potential infinite loop issue that can occur when using a combination of tail calls and freplace. In an upcoming selftest, the attach target for entry_freplace of tailcall_freplace.c is subprog_tc of tc_bpf2bpf.c, while the tail call in entry_freplace leads to entry_tc. This results in an infinite loop: entry_tc -> subprog_tc -> entry_freplace --tailcall-> entry_tc. The problem arises because the tail_call_cnt in entry_freplace resets to zero each time entry_freplace is executed, causing the tail call mechanism to never terminate, eventually leading to a kernel panic. To fix this issue, the solution is twofold: 1. Prevent updating a program extended by an freplace program to a prog_array map. 2. Prevent extending a program that is already part of a prog_array map with an freplace program. This ensures that: * If a program or its subprogram has been extended by an freplace program, it can no longer be updated to a prog_array map. * If a program has been added to a prog_array map, neither it nor its subprograms can be extended by an freplace program. Moreover, an extension program should not be tailcalled. As such, return -EINVAL if the program has a type of BPF_PROG_TYPE_EXT when adding it to a prog_array map. Additionally, fix a minor code style issue by replacing eight spaces with a tab for proper formatting.

HighCVSS 7.8Not KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

A local, low-privileged user may be able to combine Linux BPF features in a way that repeatedly loops inside the kernel and ultimately causes a kernel panic. This can disrupt the affected host. The supplied record rates the issue high severity with CVSS 7.8, but provides no evidence of exploitation in the wild.

Executive priority

Treat as a high-priority availability risk for multi-user, shared, or otherwise locally accessible Linux systems. Patch through supported kernel channels after compatibility testing. Internet exposure alone does not establish vulnerability because the documented attack vector is local.

Technical view

BPF tail calls and freplace programs can create a cycle because the tail-call counter resets whenever the freplace entry executes. The loop can continue until the kernel panics. The fix prevents incompatible freplace and prog_array relationships and rejects BPF_PROG_TYPE_EXT programs added to prog_array maps.

Likely exposure

Exposure requires an affected Linux kernel and local, low-privileged access capable of arranging the relevant BPF programs, freplace attachment, tail calls, and program-array membership. The supplied version data identifies Linux from 5.6 and lists 6.12.5 and 6.13, but its precise range boundaries are ambiguous; confirm status through the kernel or distribution vendor.

Exploitation context

The CVSS vector is local, low complexity, low privileges, and no user interaction. The described outcome is an infinite loop leading to kernel panic. The source bundle marks this CVE as absent from KEV and provides no cited evidence of active exploitation or public weaponization.

Researcher notes

The core invariant is that freplace extension relationships and prog_array membership must not combine to reset tail-call accounting. The record also requires rejecting extension programs placed directly in prog_array maps. Supplied version metadata is internally difficult to interpret, so commit-level or distribution backport verification is more reliable than version-string matching alone.

Mitigation direction

  • Apply vendor-supported kernel updates containing the referenced upstream or stable fixes.
  • Confirm distribution backports rather than relying only on displayed kernel version numbers.
  • Prioritize systems allowing untrusted local users or access to relevant BPF functionality.
  • Until patched, restrict untrusted local access where operationally practical.
  • Consult the Linux or distribution vendor if affected-version status remains unclear.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory running kernel versions across Linux hosts.
  • Compare each kernel build against distribution advisories and backport records.
  • Verify the installed kernel contains the applicable referenced fix.
  • Confirm hosts rebooted into the corrected kernel after updating.
  • Avoid reproducing the panic condition on production systems.
Prepared
Confidence
high
Sources
4

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-2024-47794 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
0ADP providers
3Source links

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-2024-47794Attack 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.

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinuxbe8704ff07d2374bcc5c675526f95e70c6459683, be8704ff07d2374bcc5c675526f95e70c6459683unaffected
LinuxLinux5.6, 0, 6.12.5, 6.13affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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