CVE-2024-26930 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 05/01/2024
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
scsi: qla2xxx: Fix double free of the ha->vp_map pointer
Coverity scan reported potential risk of double free of the pointer ha->vp_map. ha->vp_map was freed in qla2x00_mem_alloc(), and again freed in function qla2x00_mem_free(ha).
Assign NULL to vp_map and kfree take care of NULL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/26/2026
The vulnerability CVE-2024-26930 represents a critical double free error in the Linux kernel's qla2xxx SCSI driver implementation. This flaw exists within the QLogic QLA2x00 series of Fibre Channel host adapters where the kernel driver manages memory allocation and deallocation for virtual port mappings. The issue was identified through Coverity static analysis scanning which detected an unsafe memory management pattern that could lead to system instability or potential exploitation. The vulnerability specifically affects the ha->vp_map pointer which is allocated and subsequently freed in improper sequence during driver initialization and cleanup operations.
The technical flaw occurs in the memory management functions of the qla2xxx driver where the ha->vp_map pointer undergoes double freeing operations. The qla2x00_mem_alloc() function allocates memory for the vp_map structure and subsequently calls qla2x00_mem_free() which attempts to free the same pointer again. This creates a classic double free vulnerability that violates fundamental memory safety principles and can result in heap corruption. The vulnerability is classified as a CWE-415: Double Free, which is a well-known weakness in software security that allows attackers to manipulate heap memory and potentially execute arbitrary code. The flaw demonstrates improper memory management practices where the same memory region is freed twice without proper nullification between operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption to potentially compromise system stability and security. When the double free occurs during driver initialization or memory cleanup phases, it can cause kernel panics, system crashes, or more insidiously allow for memory corruption that could be exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability affects systems running Linux kernels with QLogic QLA2x00 Fibre Channel drivers, particularly those implementing virtual port functionality. Attackers could potentially leverage this issue to gain elevated privileges or cause denial of service conditions, making it particularly concerning for enterprise storage environments where reliability and security are paramount. The flaw aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068: Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, as memory corruption vulnerabilities often provide pathways for privilege escalation attacks.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves applying the official kernel patch that implements proper nullification of the ha->vp_map pointer after the initial free operation. This approach follows the established security principle of setting pointers to NULL after freeing them to prevent accidental reuse. The fix ensures that subsequent calls to kfree() with a NULL pointer are safely handled by the kernel memory management subsystem, eliminating the double free condition. System administrators should prioritize patching affected kernel versions, particularly those running on servers with QLogic Fibre Channel adapters, as the vulnerability could be exploited in environments with insufficient security controls. The solution demonstrates proper defensive programming practices and aligns with industry best practices for preventing heap-based memory corruption vulnerabilities. Organizations should also implement monitoring for anomalous system behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts, as the memory corruption could manifest in subtle ways before causing obvious system failures.