CVE-2024-26921

5.5 MEDIUM
Published: April 18, 2024 Modified: November 03, 2025

Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: inet: inet_defrag: prevent sk release while still in use ip_local_out() and other functions can pass skb->sk as function argument. If the skb is a fragment and reassembly happens before such function call returns, the sk must not be released. This affects skb fragments reassembled via netfilter or similar modules, e.g. openvswitch or ct_act.c, when run as part of tx pipeline. Eric Dumazet made an initial analysis of this bug. Quoting Eric: Calling ip_defrag() in output path is also implying skb_orphan(), which is buggy because output path relies on sk not disappearing. A relevant old patch about the issue was : 8282f27449bf ("inet: frag: Always orphan skbs inside ip_defrag()") [..] net/ipv4/ip_output.c depends on skb->sk being set, and probably to an inet socket, not an arbitrary one. If we orphan the packet in ipvlan, then downstream things like FQ packet scheduler will not work properly. We need to change ip_defrag() to only use skb_orphan() when really needed, ie whenever frag_list is going to be used. Eric suggested to stash sk in fragment queue and made an initial patch. However there is a problem with this: If skb is refragmented again right after, ip_do_fragment() will copy head->sk to the new fragments, and sets up destructor to sock_wfree. IOW, we have no choice but to fix up sk_wmem accouting to reflect the fully reassembled skb, else wmem will underflow. This change moves the orphan down into the core, to last possible moment. As ip_defrag_offset is aliased with sk_buff->sk member, we must move the offset into the FRAG_CB, else skb->sk gets clobbered. This allows to delay the orphaning long enough to learn if the skb has to be queued or if the skb is completing the reasm queue. In the former case, things work as before, skb is orphaned. This is safe because skb gets queued/stolen and won't continue past reasm engine. In the latter case, we will steal the skb->sk reference, reattach it to the head skb, and fix up wmem accouting when inet_frag inflates truesize.

AI Explanation

Get an AI-powered plain-language explanation of this vulnerability and remediation steps.

Login to generate AI explanation

CVSS v3.x Details

0.0 Low Medium High Critical 10.0
Vector String
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

References to Advisories, Solutions, and Tools

Patch Vendor Advisory Exploit Third Party Advisory
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/18685451fc4e546fc0e718580d32df3c0e5c8272
Source: 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
Patch
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/1b6de5e6575b56502665c65cf93b0ae6aa0f51ab
Source: 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
Patch
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/4318608dc28ef184158b4045896740716bea23f0
Source: 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
Patch
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/7d0567842b78390dd9b60f00f1d8f838d540e325
Source: 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
Patch
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/9705f447bf9a6cd088300ad2c407b5e1c6591091
Source: 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
Patch
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e09cbe017311508c21e0739e97198a8388b98981
Source: 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
Patch
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/f4877225313d474659ee53150ccc3d553a978727
Source: 416baaa9-dc9f-4396-8d5f-8c081fb06d67
Patch
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/18685451fc4e546fc0e718580d32df3c0e5c8272
Source: af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108
Patch
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/7d0567842b78390dd9b60f00f1d8f838d540e325
Source: af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108
Patch
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e09cbe017311508c21e0739e97198a8388b98981
Source: af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108
Patch
https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/f4877225313d474659ee53150ccc3d553a978727
Source: af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108
Patch

12 reference(s) from NVD

Quick Stats

CVSS v3 Score
5.5 / 10.0
EPSS (Exploit Probability)
0.1%
18th percentile
Exploitation Status
Not in CISA KEV

Affected Vendors

linux