Linux Kernel up to 5.15.173/6.1.119/6.6.63/6.12.3 btrfs_search_slot null pointer dereference

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability labeled as critical has been found in Linux Kernel up to 5.15.173/6.1.119/6.6.63/6.12.3. This vulnerability affects the function btrfs_search_slot. The manipulation results in null pointer dereference. This vulnerability is reported as CVE-2024-56774. No exploit exists. The affected component should be upgraded.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 5.15.173/6.1.119/6.6.63/6.12.3. It has been classified as critical. Affected is the function btrfs_search_slot. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a null pointer dereference vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-476. A NULL pointer dereference occurs when the application dereferences a pointer that it expects to be valid, but is NULL, typically causing a crash or exit. This is going to have an impact on availability. CVE summarizes:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: btrfs: add a sanity check for btrfs root in btrfs_search_slot() Syzbot reports a null-ptr-deref in btrfs_search_slot(). The reproducer is using rescue=ibadroots, and the extent tree root is corrupted thus the extent tree is NULL. When scrub tries to search the extent tree to gather the needed extent info, btrfs_search_slot() doesn't check if the target root is NULL or not, resulting the null-ptr-deref. Add sanity check for btrfs root before using it in btrfs_search_slot().

The advisory is shared for download at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2024-56774 since 12/29/2024. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 214901 (SUSE SLES15 Security Update : kernel (SUSE-SU-2025:0289-1)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 5.15.174, 6.1.120, 6.6.64 or 6.12.4 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying a patch 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 databases at Tenable (214901) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-0035). VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

Affected

• Debian Linux
• Google Cloud Platform
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux
• Ubuntu Linux
• SUSE Linux
• Oracle Linux
• RESF Rocky Linux
• Open Source Linux Kernel

Productinfo

Type

• Operating System

Vendor

• Linux

Name

• Kernel

Version

• 5.15.173
• 6.1.119
• 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
• 6.6.36
• 6.6.37
• 6.6.38
• 6.6.39
• 6.6.40
• 6.6.41
• 6.6.42
• 6.6.43
• 6.6.44
• 6.6.45
• 6.6.46
• 6.6.47
• 6.6.48
• 6.6.49
• 6.6.50
• 6.6.51
• 6.6.52
• 6.6.53
• 6.6.54
• 6.6.55
• 6.6.56
• 6.6.57
• 6.6.58
• 6.6.59
• 6.6.60
• 6.6.61
• 6.6.62
• 6.6.63
• 6.12.0
• 6.12.1
• 6.12.2
• 6.12.3

License

• open-source

Website

• Vendor: https://www.kernel.org/

CPE 2.3info

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CPE 2.2info

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Entryinfo

VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

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