CVE-2024-26734 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 04/03/2024
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
devlink: fix possible use-after-free and memory leaks in devlink_init()
The pernet operations structure for the subsystem must be registered before registering the generic netlink family.
Make an unregister in case of unsuccessful registration.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/03/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-26734 resides within the Linux kernel's devlink subsystem, which serves as a framework for managing network device configuration and management interfaces. This subsystem operates at a critical layer of the kernel, interfacing with hardware devices and providing essential network management capabilities. The flaw manifests in the devlink_init() function where improper initialization sequence leads to potential use-after-free conditions and memory leaks. The vulnerability specifically impacts systems utilizing the devlink framework for network device management, creating a scenario where memory corruption can occur during subsystem initialization.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from the improper ordering of operations within the devlink initialization process. According to established kernel development practices and security standards, the pernet operations structure for a subsystem must be registered before the generic netlink family registration occurs. This ordering is critical because the pernet operations provide the necessary infrastructure for network namespace management, while the generic netlink family registration creates the communication interface. When this sequence is violated, the kernel's memory management system can be left in an inconsistent state, leading to memory leaks where allocated resources are not properly freed, and use-after-free conditions where memory locations are accessed after being deallocated.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-26734 extends beyond simple memory corruption, potentially enabling privilege escalation and system instability. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability to cause system crashes through memory corruption, or more critically, leverage the use-after-free condition to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. This represents a significant concern for server environments and network infrastructure devices that rely heavily on the devlink subsystem for device management. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-416, which describes use-after-free conditions, and CWE-772, which addresses missing release of memory after effective lifetime. From an ATT&CK perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1068, privilege escalation through kernel exploits, and T1547, persistence mechanisms that could involve kernel-level modifications.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patch application from kernel vendors, as the fix involves correcting the registration order within the devlink_init() function. System administrators should prioritize updating their kernel versions to include the resolved code changes that ensure proper pernet operations registration before generic netlink family registration. Additionally, monitoring for unusual system behavior or kernel oops messages may help detect exploitation attempts. Organizations should implement comprehensive kernel update policies and maintain current security patches across all network infrastructure components. The fix specifically addresses the need for proper cleanup through unregister operations when registration fails, preventing memory leaks and maintaining system stability. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper resource management in kernel code and highlights the necessity of following established kernel development guidelines to prevent similar issues in other subsystems.