CVE-2024-53057: net/sched: stop qdisc_tree_reduce_backlog on TC_H_ROOT
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
net/sched: stop qdisc_tree_reduce_backlog on TC_H_ROOT
In qdisc_tree_reduce_backlog, Qdiscs with major handle ffff: are assumed
to be either root or ingress. This assumption is bogus since it's valid
to create egress qdiscs with major handle ffff:
Budimir Markovic found that for qdiscs like DRR that maintain an active
class list, it will cause a UAF with a dangling class pointer.
In 066a3b5b2346, the concern was to avoid iterating over the ingress
qdisc since its parent is itself. The proper fix is to stop when parent
TC_H_ROOT is reached because the only way to retrieve ingress is when a
hierarchy which does not contain a ffff: major handle call into
qdisc_lookup with TC_H_MAJ(TC_H_ROOT).
In the scenario where major ffff: is an egress qdisc in any of the tree
levels, the updates will also propagate to TC_H_ROOT, which then the
iteration must stop.
net/sched/sch_api.c | 2 +-
1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-)
Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2024-53057 is a Linux kernel use-after-free in traffic scheduling code. A local, low-privileged attacker may be able to trigger memory corruption with high impact to confidentiality, integrity, and availability. No source here confirms active exploitation.
Executive priority
Treat as high priority for shared Linux hosts, appliances, and environments with untrusted local workloads. Internet exposure alone is not the main signal; local access and kernel patch status drive urgency.
Technical view
The bug is in net/sched qdisc_tree_reduce_backlog. The kernel incorrectly assumed major handle ffff: meant root or ingress qdisc, but egress qdiscs can use that handle. For classful qdiscs such as DRR, this can leave a dangling class pointer and cause use-after-free.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most relevant to Linux systems running affected kernels where local users can reach traffic-control scheduler paths. Confirm actual risk by kernel version, vendor backport status, and whether local untrusted access exists.
Exploitation context
The source CVSS is 7.8 with local attack vector, low privileges, no user interaction, and high CIA impact. KEV is false, and the provided sources do not state exploitation in the wild.
Researcher notes
The fix changes qdisc_tree_reduce_backlog stopping logic to stop at TC_H_ROOT rather than relying on major handle ffff:. Evidence supports CWE-416 and high local impact, but does not include a public exploit or detailed affected distribution matrix.
Mitigation direction
Apply Linux vendor kernel updates containing the referenced stable fixes.
For Debian systems, follow the relevant Debian LTS kernel advisories.
If updates are unavailable, review vendor guidance for temporary controls.
Limit untrusted local access until affected kernels are updated.
Track Siemens advisories if using listed Siemens products.
Validation and detection
Inventory Linux kernel versions across servers, appliances, and images.
Check vendor advisories for backported fixes, not only upstream version numbers.
Confirm whether exposed systems allow untrusted local shell or workload access.
Verify updated kernels are running after reboot, not merely installed.
Review change records for the referenced stable commit IDs.
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
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
cwe · low confidence lookup
CWE-416: Exact CWE lookup
Use the exact CWE identifier as the starting point before reviewing related ATT&CK behavior. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
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
14Source links
SSVC decision data
CISA-ADPCISA Coordinator
Timestamp
Version
2.0.3
Exploitation: noneAutomatable: noTechnical Impact: total
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.
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
CWE-416 · source CWE mapping
Use After Free
Use After Free represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.