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CVE Record

CVE-2024-50253: bpf: Check the validity of nr_words in bpf_iter_bits_new()

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: bpf: Check the validity of nr_words in bpf_iter_bits_new() Check the validity of nr_words in bpf_iter_bits_new(). Without this check, when multiplication overflow occurs for nr_bits (e.g., when nr_words = 0x0400-0001, nr_bits becomes 64), stack corruption may occur due to bpf_probe_read_kernel_common(..., nr_bytes = 0x2000-0008). Fix it by limiting the maximum value of nr_words to 511. The value is derived from the current implementation of BPF memory allocator. To ensure compatibility if the BPF memory allocator's size limitation changes in the future, use the helper bpf_mem_alloc_check_size() to check whether nr_bytes is too larger. And return -E2BIG instead of -ENOMEM for oversized nr_bytes.

HighCVSS 7.8Not KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

A low-privileged local user may trigger memory corruption in affected Linux kernels through a BPF iterator function. Successful exploitation could compromise confidentiality, integrity, and availability. This is not remotely exploitable according to the supplied CVSS vector.

Executive priority

Prioritize remediation on shared or multi-user Linux systems. Internet-facing status alone does not increase direct reachability because exploitation is local, but compromised accounts or hosted workloads could provide the required foothold.

Technical view

bpf_iter_bits_new() insufficiently validated nr_words. A large value could overflow the nr_bits multiplication, producing inconsistent sizes and causing stack corruption during bpf_probe_read_kernel_common(). The fix limits nr_words to 511, validates allocation size, and returns E2BIG for oversized requests.

Likely exposure

Exposure requires local access with low privileges and a vulnerable Linux kernel. The bundle identifies affected releases within the 6.11–6.12 range, but its version records do not clearly establish every fixed boundary. Confirm exact exposure against kernel or distribution advisories.

Exploitation context

The supplied record does not establish active exploitation, and the CVE is not listed as KEV in the bundle. The local, low-complexity CVSS assessment indicates meaningful post-access risk, but no public exploit evidence is provided.

Researcher notes

The reported trigger uses nr_words large enough to overflow nr_bits while retaining a very large nr_bytes value. The correction combines a 511-word cap with bpf_mem_alloc_check_size(), aligning validation with allocator constraints. The supplied sources do not document exploit reliability or affected distribution packages.

Mitigation direction

  • Update to a vendor-supported kernel containing the referenced stable fix.
  • Follow the Linux distribution's advisory for exact fixed package versions.
  • Reboot affected systems after installing the corrected kernel.
  • Prioritize multi-user systems where untrusted users can access BPF functionality.

Validation and detection

  • Record running kernel versions across Linux systems.
  • Compare installed packages with distribution-specific fixed-version guidance.
  • Verify the active kernel changed after patching and rebooting.
  • Confirm the applied source includes nr_words and allocation-size validation.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
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-2024-50253 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.

2CVSS vectors
3Timeline events
1ADP providers
3Source links

SSVC decision data

CISA-ADPCISA Coordinator
Timestamp
Version
2.0.3
Exploitation: noneAutomatable: noTechnical Impact: partial

CVSS vector scores

2 official scores

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
5.5CVSS 3.1MediumCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H1.83.6CISA-ADP

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

7.8High
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2024-50253Attack 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
cvssV3_1other:ssvc
Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinux4665415975b0827e9646cab91c61d02a6b364d59, 4665415975b0827e9646cab91c61d02a6b364d59unaffected
LinuxLinux6.11, 0, 6.11.7, 6.12affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.