CVE-2024-57924: fs: relax assertions on failure to encode file handles
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
fs: relax assertions on failure to encode file handles
Encoding file handles is usually performed by a filesystem >encode_fh()
method that may fail for various reasons.
The legacy users of exportfs_encode_fh(), namely, nfsd and
name_to_handle_at(2) syscall are ready to cope with the possibility
of failure to encode a file handle.
There are a few other users of exportfs_encode_{fh,fid}() that
currently have a WARN_ON() assertion when ->encode_fh() fails.
Relax those assertions because they are wrong.
The second linked bug report states commit 16aac5ad1fa9 ("ovl: support
encoding non-decodable file handles") in v6.6 as the regressing commit,
but this is not accurate.
The aforementioned commit only increases the chances of the assertion
and allows triggering the assertion with the reproducer using overlayfs,
inotify and drop_caches.
Triggering this assertion was always possible with other filesystems and
other reasons of ->encode_fh() failures and more particularly, it was
also possible with the exact same reproducer using overlayfs that is
mounted with options index=on,nfs_export=on also on kernels < v6.6.
Therefore, I am not listing the aforementioned commit as a Fixes commit.
Backport hint: this patch will have a trivial conflict applying to
v6.6.y, and other trivial conflicts applying to stable kernels < v6.6.
Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This is a Linux kernel flaw in error handling for file-handle encoding. When encoding fails, some kernel paths used an assertion that could be triggered incorrectly. The available sources do not provide CVSS, confirmed impact severity, or active exploitation evidence.
Executive priority
Treat as a kernel maintenance item until vendor severity clarifies. Prioritize internet-facing infrastructure, shared compute, container hosts, and managed appliances where kernel warnings could affect reliability.
Technical view
The issue affects exportfs_encode_fh/exportfs_encode_fid users that WARN_ON when filesystem ->encode_fh() fails. The kernel change relaxes those assertions because failures are expected and callers such as nfsd and name_to_handle_at(2) already handle them. Overlayfs can increase trigger likelihood, but the source says older kernels could also trigger it.
Likely exposure
Exposure is Linux-kernel dependent. The bundle marks Linux as affected across listed versions including 3.8 through 6.13-era kernels, with stable fix commits referenced. Downstream distribution and appliance exposure should be confirmed from vendor advisories.
Exploitation context
The source mentions a reproducer involving overlayfs, inotify, and drop_caches, but provides no public exploit status. CISA KEV is false in the bundle, so active exploitation should not be assumed.
Researcher notes
Evidence is incomplete: no CVSS, CWE, or exploit confirmation is included. The kernel rationale is clear that assertions were wrong because encode_fh failure is expected. Avoid treating the v6.6 overlayfs change as the sole regression because the source disputes that.
Mitigation direction
Apply vendor kernel updates that include the referenced stable fixes.
Check Debian LTS guidance if running Debian LTS kernels.
Check Siemens ProductCERT advisories for affected Siemens appliances or products.
For unsupported kernels, consult the Linux or vendor backport guidance.
Prioritize systems using overlayfs, NFS export, or file-handle encoding paths.
Validation and detection
Inventory Linux kernel versions across servers, appliances, and container hosts.
Confirm whether installed kernels include one of the referenced stable commits.
Review distro or vendor advisories for exact package-level fixed versions.
Check kernel logs for WARN_ON traces related to exportfs file-handle encoding.
Validate exposure separately for vendor-managed appliances and embedded Linux systems.
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Potential ATT&CK relevance
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ATT&CK lookup starting points
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CVE-2024-57924 mapping review
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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.
0CVSS vectors
3Timeline events
2ADP providers
9Source links
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.
Jan 19, 2025, 11:52 UTC (UTC+00:00)
CVE updatedCVE Program
The CVE record metadata indicates this as the latest update time.