CVE-2024-27012: netfilter: nf_tables: restore set elements when delete set fails

Published May 1, 2024
·
Updated

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:

netfilter: nftables: restore set elements when delete set fails

From abort path, nftmapelemactivate() needs to restore refcounters to the original state. Currently, it uses the set->ops->walk() to iterate over these set elements. The existing set iterator skips inactive elements in the next generation, this does not work from the abort path to restore the original state since it has to skip active elements instead (not inactive ones).

This patch moves the check for inactive elements to the set iterator callback, then it reverses the logic for the .activate case which needs to skip active elements.

Toggle next generation bit for elements when delete set command is invoked and call nftclear() from .activate (abort) path to restore the next generation bit.

The splat below shows an object in mappings memleak:

[43929.457523] ------------[ cut here ]------------ [43929.457532] WARNING: CPU: 0 PID: 1139 at include/net/netfilter/nftables.h:1237 nftsetelemdatadeactivate+0xe4/0xf0 [nftables] [...] [43929.458014] RIP: 0010:nftsetelemdatadeactivate+0xe4/0xf0 [nftables] [43929.458076] Code: 83 f8 01 77 ab 49 8d 7c 24 08 e8 37 5e d0 de 49 8b 6c 24 08 48 8d 7d 50 e8 e9 5c d0 de 8b 45 50 8d 50 ff 89 55 50 85 c0 75 86 <0f> 0b eb 82 0f 0b eb b3 0f 1f 40 00 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 [43929.458081] RSP: 0018:ffff888140f9f4b0 EFLAGS: 00010246 [43929.458086] RAX: 0000000000000000 RBX: ffff8881434f5288 RCX: dffffc0000000000 [43929.458090] RDX: 00000000ffffffff RSI: ffffffffa26d28a7 RDI: ffff88810ecc9550 [43929.458093] RBP: ffff88810ecc9500 R08: 0000000000000001 R09: ffffed10281f3e8f [43929.458096] R10: 0000000000000003 R11: ffff0000ffff0000 R12: ffff8881434f52a0 [43929.458100] R13: ffff888140f9f5f4 R14: ffff888151c7a800 R15: 0000000000000002 [43929.458103] FS: 00007f0c687c4740(0000) GS:ffff888390800000(0000) knlGS:0000000000000000 [43929.458107] CS: 0010 DS: 0000 ES: 0000 CR0: 0000000080050033 [43929.458111] CR2: 00007f58dbe5b008 CR3: 0000000123602005 CR4: 00000000001706f0 [43929.458114] Call Trace: [43929.458118] <TASK> [43929.458121] ? warn+0x9f/0x1a0 [43929.458127] ? nftsetelemdatadeactivate+0xe4/0xf0 [nftables] [43929.458188] ? reportbug+0x1b1/0x1e0 [43929.458196] ? handlebug+0x3c/0x70 [43929.458200] ? excinvalidop+0x17/0x40 [43929.458211] ? nftsetelemdatadeactivate+0xd7/0xf0 [nftables] [43929.458271] ? nftsetelemdatadeactivate+0xe4/0xf0 [nftables] [43929.458332] nftmapelemdeactivate+0x24/0x30 [nftables] [43929.458392] nftrhashwalk+0xdd/0x180 [nftables] [43929.458453] ? pfxnftrhashwalk+0x10/0x10 [nftables] [43929.458512] ? rbinsertcolor+0x2e/0x280 [43929.458520] nftmapdeactivate+0xdc/0x1e0 [nftables] [43929.458582] ? pfxnftmapdeactivate+0x10/0x10 [nftables] [43929.458642] ? pfxnftmapelemdeactivate+0x10/0x10 [nftables] [43929.458701] ? rcureadunlock+0x46/0x70 [43929.458709] nftdelset+0xff/0x110 [nftables] [43929.458769] nftflushtable+0x16f/0x460 [nftables] [43929.458830] nftablesdeltable+0x501/0x580 [nftables]

Other sources

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:

netfilter: nftables: restore set elements when delete set fails

The Linux kernel CVE team has assigned CVE-2024-27012 to this issue.

Upstream advisory: https://lore.kernel.org/linux-cve-announce/2024050148-CVE-2024-27012-5564@gregkh/T

Red Hat

Affected Software

13 affected componentsFixes available
Linux Linux kernel>=6.4<6.8.8
Linux Linux kernel=6.9-rc1
Linux Linux kernel=6.9-rc2
Linux Linux kernel=6.9-rc3
Linux Linux kernel=6.9-rc4
Fedoraproject Fedora=38
Fedoraproject Fedora=39
Fedoraproject Fedora=40
debian/linux<=5.10.223-1, <=5.10.234-1, <=6.1.129-1, <=6.1.135-1
6.12.27-1
redhat/kernel<6.8.8
6.8.8
redhat/kernel<6.9
6.9
Microsoft azl3 kernel 6.6.92.2-1
Microsoft azl3 kernel 6.6.57.1-1

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

  1. Upgrade

    Upgrade debian/linux to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.12.27-1
  2. Upgrade

    Upgrade redhat/kernel to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.8.8
  3. Upgrade

    Upgrade redhat/kernel to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.9
  4. Upgrade

    Upgrade to a fixed release to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Patch CVE-2024-27012
  5. Compensating control

    For nftables set deletion failures, ensure the kernel behavior is updated so delete-set failures restore set elements/refcounters by restoring the next generation bit and invoking nft_clear() from the .activate (abort) path, rather than relying on the existing iterator that skips inactive elements.

Event History

May 1, 2024
CVE Published
via MITRE·05:29 AM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·05:29 AM
DescriptionSeverity
Data Sourced
via NVD·06:15 AM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software
Data Sourced
via Red Hat·06:36 PM
DescriptionSeverityAffected Software
Jul 11, 2024
Data Sourced
via Launchpad·07:45 PM
Description
Nov 9, 2024
Data Sourced
via Microsoft·08:00 AM
DescriptionSeverityWeakness
Data Sourced
via Microsoft·08:00 AM
Affected Software
Updated
via Microsoft·08:00 AM
DescriptionSeverity
Apr 27, 2025
Data Sourced
via Ubuntu·12:16 AM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityAffected Software

Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2024-27012?

The severity of CVE-2024-27012 is currently classified as moderate.

2

How do I fix CVE-2024-27012?

To fix CVE-2024-27012, update your Linux kernel to version 6.8.8 or 6.9 or the recommended security patch provided by your distribution.

3

Which software versions are affected by CVE-2024-27012?

CVE-2024-27012 affects various versions of the Linux kernel between 6.4 and 6.8.8 and also version 6.9 in its release candidates.

4

Is CVE-2024-27012 exploitable remotely?

CVE-2024-27012 does not appear to be directly exploitable remotely, but attackers with local access may exploit it.

5

What could happen if I don't patch CVE-2024-27012?

Failure to patch CVE-2024-27012 could lead to potential instability or security risks in the Linux kernel's network filtering functionality.

Contact

SecAlerts Pty Ltd.
132 Wickham Terrace
Fortitude Valley,
QLD 4006, Australia
info@secalerts.co
By using SecAlerts services, you agree to our services end-user license agreement. This website is safeguarded by reCAPTCHA and governed by the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. All names, logos, and brands of products are owned by their respective owners, and any usage of these names, logos, and brands for identification purposes only does not imply endorsement. If you possess any content that requires removal, please get in touch with us.
© 2026 SecAlerts Pty Ltd.
ABN: 70 645 966 203, ACN: 645 966 203