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CVE Record

CVE-2024-53042: ipv4: ip_tunnel: Fix suspicious RCU usage warning in ip_tunnel_init_flow()

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ipv4: ip_tunnel: Fix suspicious RCU usage warning in ip_tunnel_init_flow() There are code paths from which the function is called without holding the RCU read lock, resulting in a suspicious RCU usage warning [1]. Fix by using l3mdev_master_upper_ifindex_by_index() which will acquire the RCU read lock before calling l3mdev_master_upper_ifindex_by_index_rcu(). [1] WARNING: suspicious RCU usage 6.12.0-rc3-custom-gac8f72681cf2 #141 Not tainted ----------------------------- net/core/dev.c:876 RCU-list traversed in non-reader section!! other info that might help us debug this: rcu_scheduler_active = 2, debug_locks = 1 1 lock held by ip/361: #0: ffffffff86fc7cb0 (rtnl_mutex){+.+.}-{3:3}, at: rtnetlink_rcv_msg+0x377/0xf60 stack backtrace: CPU: 3 UID: 0 PID: 361 Comm: ip Not tainted 6.12.0-rc3-custom-gac8f72681cf2 #141 Hardware name: Bochs Bochs, BIOS Bochs 01/01/2011 Call Trace: <TASK> dump_stack_lvl+0xba/0x110 lockdep_rcu_suspicious.cold+0x4f/0xd6 dev_get_by_index_rcu+0x1d3/0x210 l3mdev_master_upper_ifindex_by_index_rcu+0x2b/0xf0 ip_tunnel_bind_dev+0x72f/0xa00 ip_tunnel_newlink+0x368/0x7a0 ipgre_newlink+0x14c/0x170 __rtnl_newlink+0x1173/0x19c0 rtnl_newlink+0x6c/0xa0 rtnetlink_rcv_msg+0x3cc/0xf60 netlink_rcv_skb+0x171/0x450 netlink_unicast+0x539/0x7f0 netlink_sendmsg+0x8c1/0xd80 ____sys_sendmsg+0x8f9/0xc20 ___sys_sendmsg+0x197/0x1e0 __sys_sendmsg+0x122/0x1f0 do_syscall_64+0xbb/0x1d0 entry_SYSCALL_64_after_hwframe+0x77/0x7f

MediumCVSS 5.5Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2024-53042 is a Linux kernel networking flaw in IPv4 tunnel handling. The public record describes a kernel RCU locking misuse that can be triggered through local networking operations and is scored for high availability impact, not data theft or tampering.

Executive priority

Treat this as a routine but time-bound kernel patching item. It is not supported by evidence of active exploitation, but availability impact and local multi-user or containerized environments make delayed remediation risky.

Technical view

The issue is in ipv4 ip_tunnel handling, where some call paths reached l3mdev_master_upper_ifindex_by_index_rcu() without holding the RCU read lock. The fix changes the helper to l3mdev_master_upper_ifindex_by_index(), which acquires the needed RCU read lock before traversal.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most likely on Linux systems running affected kernel versions with IPv4 tunnel functionality available. Systems where untrusted local users or containers can perform network configuration actions deserve closer review. The bundle names Linux kernel versions and downstream Debian and Siemens advisories.

Exploitation context

The CVSS vector is local, low-complexity, low-privilege, no user interaction, with availability impact only. KEV is false, and the provided sources do not show active exploitation, public exploit code, or remote exploitability.

Researcher notes

The source evidence supports an RCU misuse fix in the Linux IPv4 tunnel path. The record provides stack trace context and stable kernel commits, but not a complete exploit narrative. Avoid assuming remote exposure or specific appliance impact unless a vendor advisory confirms it.

Mitigation direction

  • Update affected Linux kernels using vendor-supported packages or stable kernel fixes.
  • Prioritize hosts allowing local users, containers, or tenants to influence network tunnel configuration.
  • Review Debian LTS and Siemens advisories if those distributions or products are in use.
  • Track vendor guidance for exact fixed package versions before making production changes.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Linux kernel versions across servers, appliances, containers, and embedded products.
  • Check whether IPv4 tunnel, GRE, or related network tunnel features are enabled or exposed.
  • Confirm vendor advisories map your installed kernel package to a fixed release.
  • Review kernel logs for suspicious RCU usage warnings in ip_tunnel or rtnetlink paths.
Prepared
Confidence
high
Sources
11

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.

ATT&CK lookup starting points

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CVE-2024-53042 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Medium
CVSS
5.5 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/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
3ADP providers
10Source 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
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

5.5Medium
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2024-53042Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/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
CVECVE Program Container
siemens-SADPADP container

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinuxab6c9463b137163ba53fc050bf2c72bed2c997b8, 760852df570747e500a9632d34cbbf4faef30855, db53cd3d88dc328dea2e968c9c8d3b4294a8a674, db53cd3d88dc328dea2e968c9c8d3b4294a8a674, db53cd3d88dc328dea2e968c9c8d3b4294a8a674, db53cd3d88dc328dea2e968c9c8d3b4294a8a674unaffected
LinuxLinux5.18, 0, 5.10.229, 5.15.171, 6.1.116, 6.6.60, 6.11.7, 6.12affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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