Research · Jan 31, 2024
Critical Use-After-Free Vulnerability Discovered in Linux Kernel's Netfilter Component
A serious use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's netfilter component has been identified, allowing for potential local privilege escalation.
What changed
A use-after-free vulnerability has been discovered in the Linux kernel, specifically within the netfilter: nf_tables component. This flaw can be exploited to achieve local privilege escalation, posing a significant security risk.
- The vulnerability is linked to the nft_verdict_init() function allowing erroneous drop values.
- The nf_hook_slow() function can trigger a double free condition when specific drop errors are issued.
- The issue can be mitigated by upgrading to a version beyond commit f342de4e2f33e0e39165d8639387aa6c19dff660.
Who is affected
The vulnerability primarily affects users of the Linux kernel, especially those utilizing the netfilter component. Various products and systems relying on this kernel version are at risk.
- NetApp products, particularly the h300s firmware, are directly impacted.
- Any enterprise relying on Linux kernel versions that include the vulnerable netfilter component may be affected.
- Organizations using custom kernel builds may also be at risk if they include the vulnerable functions.
What to do
To safeguard systems against this vulnerability, it is crucial for affected users to take immediate action. Upgrading to the recommended kernel version is essential to mitigate the risk.
- Upgrade to a version of the Linux kernel that exceeds commit f342de4e2f33e0e39165d8639387aa6c19dff660.
- Conduct a thorough assessment of systems to identify any that may be using the vulnerable kernel version.
- Implement additional monitoring and security measures to detect any potential exploitation attempts.