Linux Kernel up to 6.12.8 throttle_direct_reclaim infinite loop

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Summaryinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.12.8. The affected element is the function throttle_direct_reclaim. Performing a manipulation results in infinite loop. This vulnerability is reported as CVE-2024-57884. No exploit exists. It is advisable to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.12.8. It has been classified as critical. This affects the function throttle_direct_reclaim. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a infinite loop vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-835. The product contains an iteration or loop with an exit condition that cannot be reached, i.e., an infinite loop. This is going to have an impact on availability. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: mm: vmscan: account for free pages to prevent infinite Loop in throttle_direct_reclaim() The task sometimes continues looping in throttle_direct_reclaim() because allow_direct_reclaim(pgdat) keeps returning false. #0 [ffff80002cb6f8d0] __switch_to at ffff8000080095ac #1 [ffff80002cb6f900] __schedule at ffff800008abbd1c #2 [ffff80002cb6f990] schedule at ffff800008abc50c #3 [ffff80002cb6f9b0] throttle_direct_reclaim at ffff800008273550 #4 [ffff80002cb6fa20] try_to_free_pages at ffff800008277b68 #5 [ffff80002cb6fae0] __alloc_pages_nodemask at ffff8000082c4660 #6 [ffff80002cb6fc50] alloc_pages_vma at ffff8000082e4a98 #7 [ffff80002cb6fca0] do_anonymous_page at ffff80000829f5a8 #8 [ffff80002cb6fce0] __handle_mm_fault at ffff8000082a5974 #9 [ffff80002cb6fd90] handle_mm_fault at ffff8000082a5bd4 At this point, the pgdat contains the following two zones: NODE: 4 ZONE: 0 ADDR: ffff00817fffe540 NAME: "DMA32" SIZE: 20480 MIN/LOW/HIGH: 11/28/45 VM_STAT: NR_FREE_PAGES: 359 NR_ZONE_INACTIVE_ANON: 18813 NR_ZONE_ACTIVE_ANON: 0 NR_ZONE_INACTIVE_FILE: 50 NR_ZONE_ACTIVE_FILE: 0 NR_ZONE_UNEVICTABLE: 0 NR_ZONE_WRITE_PENDING: 0 NR_MLOCK: 0 NR_BOUNCE: 0 NR_ZSPAGES: 0 NR_FREE_CMA_PAGES: 0 NODE: 4 ZONE: 1 ADDR: ffff00817fffec00 NAME: "Normal" SIZE: 8454144 PRESENT: 98304 MIN/LOW/HIGH: 68/166/264 VM_STAT: NR_FREE_PAGES: 146 NR_ZONE_INACTIVE_ANON: 94668 NR_ZONE_ACTIVE_ANON: 3 NR_ZONE_INACTIVE_FILE: 735 NR_ZONE_ACTIVE_FILE: 78 NR_ZONE_UNEVICTABLE: 0 NR_ZONE_WRITE_PENDING: 0 NR_MLOCK: 0 NR_BOUNCE: 0 NR_ZSPAGES: 0 NR_FREE_CMA_PAGES: 0 In allow_direct_reclaim(), while processing ZONE_DMA32, the sum of inactive/active file-backed pages calculated in zone_reclaimable_pages() based on the result of zone_page_state_snapshot() is zero. Additionally, since this system lacks swap, the calculation of inactive/ active anonymous pages is skipped. crash> p nr_swap_pages nr_swap_pages = $1937 = { counter = 0 } As a result, ZONE_DMA32 is deemed unreclaimable and skipped, moving on to the processing of the next zone, ZONE_NORMAL, despite ZONE_DMA32 having free pages significantly exceeding the high watermark. The problem is that the pgdat->kswapd_failures hasn't been incremented. crash> px ((struct pglist_data *) 0xffff00817fffe540)->kswapd_failures $1935 = 0x0 This is because the node deemed balanced. The node balancing logic in balance_pgdat() evaluates all zones collectively. If one or more zones (e.g., ZONE_DMA32) have enough free pages to meet their watermarks, the entire node is deemed balanced. This causes balance_pgdat() to exit early before incrementing the kswapd_failures, as it considers the overall memory state acceptable, even though some zones (like ZONE_NORMAL) remain under significant pressure. The patch ensures that zone_reclaimable_pages() includes free pages (NR_FREE_PAGES) in its calculation when no other reclaimable pages are available (e.g., file-backed or anonymous pages). This change prevents zones like ZONE_DMA32, which have sufficient free pages, from being mistakenly deemed unreclaimable. By doing so, the patch ensures proper node balancing, avoids masking pressure on other zones like ZONE_NORMAL, and prevents infinite loops in throttle_direct_reclaim() caused by allow_direct_reclaim(pgdat) repeatedly returning false. The kernel hangs due to a task stuck in throttle_direct_reclaim(), caused by a node being incorrectly deemed balanced despite pressure in certain zones, such as ZONE_NORMAL. This issue arises from zone_reclaimable_pages ---truncated---

The advisory is shared at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2024-57884 since 01/11/2025. Technical details are known, but no exploit is available.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 216191 (SUSE SLES15 / openSUSE 15 Security Update : kernel (SUSE-SU-2025:0428-1)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 5.4.289, 5.10.233, 5.15.176, 6.1.124, 6.6.70 or 6.12.9 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 66cd37660ec34ec444fe42f2277330ae4a36bb19/d675fefbaec3815b3ae0af1bebd97f27df3a05c8/63eac98d6f0898229f515cb62fe4e4db2430e99c/bfb701192129803191c9cd6cdd1f82cd07f8de2c/1ff2302e8aeac7f2eedb551d7a89617283b5c6b2/58d0d02dbc67438fc80223fdd7bbc49cf0733284/6aaced5abd32e2a57cd94fd64f824514d0361da8 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 (216191) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-0105). If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.

Affected

  • Debian Linux
  • Amazon Linux 2
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux
  • Ubuntu Linux
  • SUSE Linux
  • Oracle Linux
  • SUSE openSUSE
  • RESF Rocky Linux
  • Dell NetWorker
  • Dell Avamar
  • Open Source Linux Kernel
  • Dell PowerProtect Data Domain
  • Dell Secure Connect Gateway

Productinfo

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Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 5.6
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 5.5

VulDB Base Score: 5.7
VulDB Temp Score: 5.5
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 5.5
NVD Vector: 🔍

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Infinite loop
CWE: CWE-835 / CWE-404
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: Partially

Availability: 🔍
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Nessus ID: 216191
Nessus Name: SUSE SLES15 / openSUSE 15 Security Update : kernel (SUSE-SU-2025:0428-1)

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍

Upgrade: Kernel 5.4.289/5.10.233/5.15.176/6.1.124/6.6.70/6.12.9
Patch: 66cd37660ec34ec444fe42f2277330ae4a36bb19/d675fefbaec3815b3ae0af1bebd97f27df3a05c8/63eac98d6f0898229f515cb62fe4e4db2430e99c/bfb701192129803191c9cd6cdd1f82cd07f8de2c/1ff2302e8aeac7f2eedb551d7a89617283b5c6b2/58d0d02dbc67438fc80223fdd7bbc49cf0733284/6aaced5abd32e2a57cd94fd64f824514d0361da8

Timelineinfo

01/11/2025 🔍
01/15/2025 +4 days 🔍
01/15/2025 +0 days 🔍
03/08/2026 +417 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2024-57884 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2024-57884
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-291957
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2025-0105 - Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen ermöglichen Denial of Service

Entryinfo

Created: 01/15/2025 16:04
Updated: 03/08/2026 23:43
Changes: 01/15/2025 16:04 (58), 02/13/2025 09:35 (2), 07/24/2025 19:15 (7), 09/26/2025 23:28 (11), 10/13/2025 20:04 (1), 03/08/2026 23:43 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.

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