Linux Kernel up to 6.6.35/6.9.6 __ext4_fill_super initialization

| CVSS Meta Temp Score | Current Exploit Price (≈) | CTI Interest Score |
|---|---|---|
| 4.9 | $0-$5k | 0.00 |
Summary
A vulnerability has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.6.35/6.9.6 and classified as problematic. Affected is the function __ext4_fill_super. Performing a manipulation results in initialization.
This vulnerability is identified as CVE-2024-40998. There is not any exploit available.
The affected component should be upgraded.
Details
A vulnerability, which was classified as problematic, was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.6.35/6.9.6. This affects the function __ext4_fill_super. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a initialization vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-665. The product does not initialize or incorrectly initializes a resource, which might leave the resource in an unexpected state when it is accessed or used. The impact remains unknown. The summary by CVE is:
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ext4: fix uninitialized ratelimit_state->lock access in __ext4_fill_super() In the following concurrency we will access the uninitialized rs->lock: ext4_fill_super ext4_register_sysfs // sysfs registered msg_ratelimit_interval_ms // Other processes modify rs->interval to // non-zero via msg_ratelimit_interval_ms ext4_orphan_cleanup ext4_msg(sb, KERN_INFO, "Errors on filesystem, " __ext4_msg ___ratelimit(&(EXT4_SB(sb)->s_msg_ratelimit_state) if (!rs->interval) // do nothing if interval is 0 return 1; raw_spin_trylock_irqsave(&rs->lock, flags) raw_spin_trylock(lock) _raw_spin_trylock __raw_spin_trylock spin_acquire(&lock->dep_map, 0, 1, _RET_IP_) lock_acquire __lock_acquire register_lock_class assign_lock_key dump_stack(); ratelimit_state_init(&sbi->s_msg_ratelimit_state, 5 * HZ, 10); raw_spin_lock_init(&rs->lock); // init rs->lock here and get the following dump_stack: ========================================================= INFO: trying to register non-static key. The code is fine but needs lockdep annotation, or maybe you didn't initialize this object before use? turning off the locking correctness validator. CPU: 12 PID: 753 Comm: mount Tainted: G E 6.7.0-rc6-next-20231222 #504 [...] Call Trace: dump_stack_lvl+0xc5/0x170 dump_stack+0x18/0x30 register_lock_class+0x740/0x7c0 __lock_acquire+0x69/0x13a0 lock_acquire+0x120/0x450 _raw_spin_trylock+0x98/0xd0 ___ratelimit+0xf6/0x220 __ext4_msg+0x7f/0x160 [ext4] ext4_orphan_cleanup+0x665/0x740 [ext4] __ext4_fill_super+0x21ea/0x2b10 [ext4] ext4_fill_super+0x14d/0x360 [ext4] [...] ========================================================= Normally interval is 0 until s_msg_ratelimit_state is initialized, so ___ratelimit() does nothing. But registering sysfs precedes initializing rs->lock, so it is possible to change rs->interval to a non-zero value via the msg_ratelimit_interval_ms interface of sysfs while rs->lock is uninitialized, and then a call to ext4_msg triggers the problem by accessing an uninitialized rs->lock. Therefore register sysfs after all initializations are complete to avoid such problems.
The advisory is shared at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2024-40998 since 07/12/2024. The exploitability is told to be difficult. Technical details are known, but no exploit is available.
The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 207773 (Oracle Linux 8 : kernel (ELSA-2024-7000)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.
Upgrading to version 6.6.36 or 6.9.7 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 23afcd52af06/645267906944/b4b4fda34e53 is able to eliminate this problem. The bugfix is ready for download at git.kernel.org. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version.
The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at Tenable (207773). Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Product
Type
Vendor
Name
Version
- 6.6.0
- 6.6.1
- 6.6.2
- 6.6.3
- 6.6.4
- 6.6.5
- 6.6.6
- 6.6.7
- 6.6.8
- 6.6.9
- 6.6.10
- 6.6.11
- 6.6.12
- 6.6.13
- 6.6.14
- 6.6.15
- 6.6.16
- 6.6.17
- 6.6.18
- 6.6.19
- 6.6.20
- 6.6.21
- 6.6.22
- 6.6.23
- 6.6.24
- 6.6.25
- 6.6.26
- 6.6.27
- 6.6.28
- 6.6.29
- 6.6.30
- 6.6.31
- 6.6.32
- 6.6.33
- 6.6.34
- 6.6.35
- 6.9.0
- 6.9.1
- 6.9.2
- 6.9.3
- 6.9.4
- 6.9.5
- 6.9.6
License
Website
- Vendor: https://www.kernel.org/
CPE 2.3
CPE 2.2
CVSSv4
VulDB Vector: 🔍VulDB Reliability: 🔍
CVSSv3
VulDB Meta Base Score: 5.0VulDB Meta Temp Score: 4.9
VulDB Base Score: 4.6
VulDB Temp Score: 4.4
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍
NVD Base Score: 5.5
NVD Vector: 🔍
CVSSv2
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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍
Exploiting
Class: InitializationCWE: CWE-665
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍
Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: Partially
Availability: 🔍
Status: Not defined
EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍
Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍
| 0-Day | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock | Unlock |
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Nessus ID: 207773
Nessus Name: Oracle Linux 8 : kernel (ELSA-2024-7000)
Threat Intelligence
Interest: 🔍Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍
Countermeasures
Recommended: UpgradeStatus: 🔍
0-Day Time: 🔍
Upgrade: Kernel 6.6.36/6.9.7
Patch: 23afcd52af06/645267906944/b4b4fda34e53
Timeline
07/12/2024 🔍07/12/2024 🔍
07/12/2024 🔍
09/25/2025 🔍
Sources
Vendor: kernel.orgAdvisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed
CVE: CVE-2024-40998 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2024-40998
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-271281
Entry
Created: 07/12/2024 16:53Updated: 09/25/2025 21:57
Changes: 07/12/2024 16:53 (57), 09/28/2024 07:57 (2), 09/25/2025 21:57 (12)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
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