CVE-2024-14027
Use-After-Free in Linux Kernel fremovexattr Causes Memory Leak
Publication date: 2026-03-09
Last updated on: 2026-04-06
Assigner: kernel.org
Description
Description
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Meta Information
Affected Vendors & Products
| Vendor | Product | Version / Range |
|---|---|---|
| linux | linux_kernel | * |
Helpful Resources
Exploitability
| CWE ID | Description |
|---|---|
| CWE-UNKNOWN |
Attack-Flow Graph
AI Powered Q&A
Can you explain this vulnerability to me?
This vulnerability exists in the Linux kernel's fremovexattr() system call. When fremovexattr() calls fdget() to get a file reference, it may return early without calling fdput() if strncpy_from_user() fails on the name argument. This causes a file reference to be leaked permanently in multi-threaded processes where fdget() takes the slow path, leading to pinned kernel objects in memory.
Essentially, the kernel fails to release a file reference in certain error conditions, which results in a memory leak of kernel objects.
How can this vulnerability impact me? :
An unprivileged local user can exploit this vulnerability to cause kernel memory exhaustion by repeatedly triggering the leak. This can degrade system performance or potentially lead to denial of service by exhausting kernel memory resources.
How does this vulnerability affect compliance with common standards and regulations (like GDPR, HIPAA)?:
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How can this vulnerability be detected on my network or system? Can you suggest some commands?
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What immediate steps should I take to mitigate this vulnerability?
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