CVE-2024-40972 ext4: do not create EA inode under buffer lock
A locking flaw in the Linux kernel ext4 filesystem can cause a deadlock, leading to a denial of service.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Any signed-in user
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- Available
What is CVE-2024-40972?
CVE-2024-40972 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Linux kernel, published on 12 Jul 2024. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.
Official description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
ext4: do not create EA inode under buffer lock
ext4_xattr_set_entry() creates new EA inodes while holding buffer lock on the external xattr block. This is problematic as it nests all the allocation locking (which acquires locks on other buffers) under the buffer lock. This can even deadlock when the filesystem is corrupted and e.g. quota file is setup to contain xattr block as data block. Move the allocation of EA inode out of ext4_xattr_set_entry() into the callers.
Weakness: CWE-667
Which versions are affected by CVE-2024-40972?
It affects 1 product.
Products include Linux kernel.
How do I fix CVE-2024-40972?
Apply the vendor's patch.
Is CVE-2024-40972 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2024-40972 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Other vulnerabilities in Linux kernel
Sources
Also known as AZL-56270, BELL-CVE-2024-40972, DEBIAN-CVE-2024-40972, GHSA-934p-m4fh-22q3, ROOT-OS-DEBIAN-11-CVE-2024-40972, ROOT-OS-UBUNTU-2204-CVE-2024-40972 and 1 more.