Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
A timing flaw in the Linux kernel's SMC networking code can let queued link-down work access an already-freed link group, causing kernel corruption and a system crash. The supplied record rates it critical, although the public technical description demonstrates availability impact and does not establish data theft or modification.
Executive priority
Treat this as an expedited availability-risk update for SMC-enabled Linux infrastructure, especially critical or highly available systems. Do not infer universal internet exposure from the CVSS vector alone. First identify actual SMC use, then apply supported kernel updates according to operational criticality and vendor guidance.
Technical view
CVE-2024-56718 is a lifetime-management race in net/smc. Link-down work can be scheduled before an SMC link group is freed but execute afterward. The stable fix holds a reference while work is pending and releases it after execution or cancellation. The supplied crash shows list corruption and a kernel BUG in smc_link_down_work.
Likely exposure
Exposure is limited to Linux systems using the affected SMC networking path. The bundle lists Linux 5.8, 6.1.122, 6.6.68, 6.12.7, and 6.13 as affected values, but its version-range semantics are incomplete. Confirm the exact vendor kernel build and whether SMC is present and operational.
Exploitation context
The supplied record says this race may crash the kernel. It provides no evidence of public exploitation, exploit availability, or reliable confidentiality and integrity impact. The CVE is not listed as KEV in the bundle. Preconditions and remote triggerability are not sufficiently documented here, despite the supplied CVSS 9.8 network vector.
Researcher notes
The evidence supports a use-after-free-style asynchronous work race and reproducible kernel crash. It does not establish code execution, data disclosure, integrity compromise, or active exploitation. The affected-version data includes ambiguous values and duplicate commit identifiers, so distribution-specific backport analysis is necessary before declaring a host vulnerable.
Mitigation direction
- Install a vendor-supported kernel containing the referenced stable fix.
- Prioritize systems where SMC networking is enabled or actively used.
- Check distribution advisories for corrected package versions and reboot requirements.
- If patching is delayed, seek vendor guidance on safely disabling unused SMC functionality.
Validation and detection
- Inventory running kernel versions and distribution package revisions.
- Determine whether SMC modules and networking paths are enabled or used.
- Map vendor kernel builds to the referenced stable commits or advisories.
- After updating, verify the corrected kernel is running following any required reboot.
- Monitor kernel logs for smc_link_down_work crashes, list corruption, or kernel BUG events.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
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-2024-56718 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Critical
- CVSS
- 9.8 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
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.
SSVC decision data
CVSS vector scores
2 official scoresWe 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.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H3.95.9LinuxCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H1.83.6CISA-ADPVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
9.8CriticalVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Base CVSS 3.1 score
5.5MediumVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
Vulnerability timeline
Timeline events are normalized from CVE metadata, CNA source timelines, ADP timelines, and KEV metadata when present.
- CVE reservedCVE Program
The CVE ID was reserved by the assigning CNA.
- CVE publishedCVE Program
The CVE record was published.
- CVE updatedCVE Program
The CVE record metadata indicates this as the latest update time.
ADP provider summaries
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/bec2f52866d511e94c1c37cd962e4382b1b1a299CVE reference, Linux
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/2627c3e8646932dfc7b9722c88c2e1ffcf7a9fb2CVE reference, Linux
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/841b1824750d3b8d1dc0a96b14db4418b952abbcCVE reference, Linux
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/2b33eb8f1b3e8c2f87cfdbc8cc117f6bdfabc6ecCVE reference, Linux
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2025/03/msg00001.htmlCVE reference, CVE
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.