CVE-2024-26868
MediumIn the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: nfs: fix panic when nfs4_ff_layout_prepare_ds() fails We've been seeing the following panic in production BUG: kernel NULL pointer dereference, address: 0000000000000065 PGD 2f485f067 P4D 2f485f067 PUD 2cc5d8067 PMD 0 RIP: 0010:ff_layout_cancel_io+0x3a/0x90 [nfs_layout_flexfiles] Call Trace: <TASK> ? __die+0x78/0xc0 ? page_fault_oops+0x286/0x380 ? __rpc_execute+0x2c3/0x470 [sunrpc] ? rpc_new_task+0x42/0x1c0 [sunrpc] ? exc_page_fault+0x5d/0x110 ? asm_exc_page_fault+0x22/0x30 ? ff_layout_free_layoutreturn+0x110/0x110 [nfs_layout_flexfiles] ? ff_layout_cancel_io+0x3a/0x90 [nfs_layout_flexfiles] ? ff_layout_cancel_io+0x6f/0x90 [nfs_layout_flexfiles] pnfs_mark_matching_lsegs_return+0x1b0/0x360 [nfsv4] pnfs_error_mark_layout_for_return+0x9e/0x110 [nfsv4] ? ff_layout_send_layouterror+0x50/0x160 [nfs_layout_flexfiles] nfs4_ff_layout_prepare_ds+0x11f/0x290 [nfs_layout_flexfiles] ff_layout_pg_init_write+0xf0/0x1f0 [nfs_layout_flexfiles] __nfs_pageio_add_request+0x154/0x6c0 [nfs] nfs_pageio_add_request+0x26b/0x380 [nfs] nfs_do_writepage+0x111/0x1e0 [nfs] nfs_writepages_callback+0xf/0x30 [nfs] write_cache_pages+0x17f/0x380 ? nfs_pageio_init_write+0x50/0x50 [nfs] ? nfs_writepages+0x6d/0x210 [nfs] ? nfs_writepages+0x6d/0x210 [nfs] nfs_writepages+0x125/0x210 [nfs] do_writepages+0x67/0x220 ? generic_perform_write+0x14b/0x210 filemap_fdatawrite_wbc+0x5b/0x80 file_write_and_wait_range+0x6d/0xc0 nfs_file_fsync+0x81/0x170 [nfs] ? nfs_file_mmap+0x60/0x60 [nfs] __x64_sys_fsync+0x53/0x90 do_syscall_64+0x3d/0x90 entry_SYSCALL_64_after_hwframe+0x46/0xb0 Inspecting the core with drgn I was able to pull this >>> prog.crashed_thread().stack_trace()[0] #0 at 0xffffffffa079657a (ff_layout_cancel_io+0x3a/0x84) in ff_layout_cancel_io at fs/nfs/flexfilelayout/flexfilelayout.c:2021:27 >>> prog.crashed_thread().stack_trace()[0]['idx'] (u32)1 >>> prog.crashed_thread().stack_trace()[0]['flseg'].mirror_array[1].mirror_ds (struct nfs4_ff_layout_ds *)0xffffffffffffffed This is clear from the stack trace, we call nfs4_ff_layout_prepare_ds() which could error out initializing the mirror_ds, and then we go to clean it all up and our check is only for if (!mirror->mirror_ds). This is inconsistent with the rest of the users of mirror_ds, which have if (IS_ERR_OR_NULL(mirror_ds)) to keep from tripping over this exact scenario. Fix this up in ff_layout_cancel_io() to make sure we don't panic when we get an error. I also spot checked all the other instances of checking mirror_ds and we appear to be doing the correct checks everywhere, only unconditionally dereferencing mirror_ds when we know it would be valid.
CVSS 3.1 score
5.5
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
Weakness type
CWE-476CVE-2024-26868 is a NULL Pointer Dereference vulnerability
What is NULL Pointer Dereference?
The product dereferences a pointer that it expects to be valid but is NULL, typically causing a crash. Learn more on MITRE CWE
References
The following references provide additional information about CVE-2024-26868 including vendor advisories, patch commits, exploit details, and third-party analysis. Links are sourced from the NIST NVD database.
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PatchKernel patch commithttps://git.kernel.org/stable/c/31db25e3141b20e2a76a9f219eeca52e3cab126c
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PatchKernel patch commithttps://git.kernel.org/stable/c/5ada9016b1217498fad876a3d5b07645cc955608
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PatchKernel patch commithttps://git.kernel.org/stable/c/719fcafe07c12646691bd62d7f8d94d657fa0766
Frequently asked questions
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What is CVE-2024-26868?
CVE-2024-26868 is a Medium severity Linux kernel vulnerability with a CVSS score of 5.5 out of 10 , classified as a NULL Pointer Dereference flaw (CWE-476) . CVE-2024-26868 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.
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What is the CVSS score for CVE-2024-26868?
CVE-2024-26868 has a CVSS score of 5.5 out of 10, rated Medium severity (CVSS 3.1). The vector string is
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H. -
Is there a patch available for CVE-2024-26868?
No patch is currently available for CVE-2024-26868. Monitor the NIST NVD and your Linux distribution's security advisories for updates.
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Is CVE-2024-26868 actively exploited?
No — CVE-2024-26868 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.
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What is NULL Pointer Dereference (CWE-476)?
The product dereferences a pointer that it expects to be valid but is NULL, typically causing a crash. View CWE-476 on MITRE CWE →