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CVE-2024-1086: High Vulnerability in Linux Kernel Netfilter Component

A high-severity privilege escalation vulnerability in the Linux kernel's netfilter component (CVE-2024-1086) allows local attackers to exploit a use-after-free condition. Immediate patching is crucial to mitigate potential risks.

HIGHKnown ExploitedCVSS 7.8 · Published January 31, 2024

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CVE-2024-1086 is a high-severity vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel's netfilter component, specifically within the nf_tables functionality. This vulnerability allows local privilege escalation through a use-after-free condition, which can be exploited by malicious actors with local access to the system. The vulnerability has been assigned a CVSS score of 7.8, indicating a significant risk to affected systems.

The exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to severe consequences, as it allows attackers to escalate their privileges and potentially gain unauthorized access to sensitive information or system controls. Organizations utilizing affected Linux kernel versions should prioritize remediation to mitigate the associated risks.

Given the critical nature of this vulnerability, organizations are urged to apply patches promptly. The vulnerability has been confirmed as exploitable, and a patch has been made available. Therefore, it is essential for security teams to address this issue immediately.

Failure to remediate this vulnerability could result in unauthorized access, data breaches, or system compromises, making it a top priority for all organizations using affected systems.

Vulnerability Details

CVE-2024-1086 is characterized as a use-after-free vulnerability within the Linux kernel's netfilter: nf_tables component. The nft_verdict_init() function permits positive values as drop error within the hook verdict. Consequently, the nf_hook_slow() function can trigger a double free vulnerability when NF_DROP is issued with a drop error resembling NF_ACCEPT.

The vulnerability has been officially classified with a CVSS score of 7.8, which denotes a high severity level. The CVSS vector for this vulnerability is CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H, indicating that it requires local access with low attack complexity and privileges.

This vulnerability affects a variety of components, including the Linux kernel, various versions of enterprise Linux distributions, and NetApp firmware. The vulnerability was published on January 31, 2024.

The Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) classification for this vulnerability is CWE-416.

Technical Analysis

The root cause of CVE-2024-1086 stems from a use-after-free condition within the Linux kernel's netfilter component. Specifically, the nft_verdict_init() function allows certain values as drop errors, which can lead to a double free situation when NF_DROP is issued. This condition arises when the error handling is not properly managed, leading to potential exploitation by local attackers.

The attack vector for this vulnerability is local, requiring that the attacker has access to the system. The complexity of the attack is low, meaning that the exploit can be executed without sophisticated techniques. The privileges required are also low, allowing attackers with basic user accounts to leverage this vulnerability.

No user interaction is needed to exploit this vulnerability, making it particularly dangerous in a multi-user environment. The impacts on confidentiality, integrity, and availability are all assessed as high, indicating that successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise.

Risk & Impact Analysis

The real-world risk associated with CVE-2024-1086 is significant, particularly for organizations leveraging the Linux kernel across various applications and services. The potential for local privilege escalation poses a severe threat, especially in environments where sensitive data is processed or stored.

Organizations should prioritize remediation due to the high CVSS score and the known exploitability of this vulnerability. The blast radius is considerable as this vulnerability affects multiple distributions and firmware, which may be widely deployed across various sectors.

Given the urgency tied to the known exploitation status and the implications for data security, organizations must act quickly to patch vulnerable systems. The urgency for defenders is classified as critical, necessitating immediate action to prevent potential breaches.

Exploitation Status

Signal

Status

Known Exploit

Yes

Public PoC

Yes

Actively Exploited

Yes

Ransomware Use

Yes

Affected Versions

The following versions are affected by CVE-2024-1086:

1. Debian Linux 10.0 and later versions prior to the patch.

2. Fedora 39.

3. Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.0 and its variants.

4. Linux Kernel versions from 3.15 to 5.15.149 and from 6.1 to 6.6.15, as well as 6.7 up to 6.7.3.

5. NetApp firmware products including a250, c250, and 500f.

Mitigation & Remediation

Organizations should implement the following mitigations to address CVE-2024-1086:

1. Apply patches available from your Linux distributor or vendor promptly. The recommended patch can be found at this link.

2. For systems unable to apply patches immediately, consider implementing network controls to limit access to vulnerable systems.

3. Monitor for unusual behavior in your systems that may indicate exploitation attempts.

4. Review your incident response plans to ensure they can effectively address potential exploitation of this vulnerability.

Detection Guidance

To detect potential exploitation of CVE-2024-1086, organizations should monitor for the following indicators:

1. Logs indicating unusual activity related to the nf_tables component.

2. Behavioral anomalies in user sessions that suggest privilege escalation attempts.

3. Network signatures that may indicate exploitation attempts or unauthorized access.

4. Changes to system files or configurations that could suggest an attempt to exploit the vulnerability.

AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight

CVE-2024-1086 represents a significant threat to Linux-based systems, particularly given its local exploitability and high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The presence of known public exploits underscores the urgency for organizations to act.

As this vulnerability affects core components of various Linux distributions, organizations should take proactive steps toward vulnerability management and remediation. Implementing a robust vulnerability management program can help organizations identify and mitigate such risks effectively.

Organizations are encouraged to stay updated on security advisories and threat intelligence sharing to enhance their security posture against similar vulnerabilities in the future.

In conclusion, CVE-2024-1086 is a critical vulnerability that necessitates immediate attention from security teams to safeguard systems from potential exploitation.

Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.

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