High

Linux kernel nf_tables set-element timeout race condition

IdentifiersCVE-2024-27397CWE-362

CVE-2024-27397 is a race condition in the Linux kernel netfilter nf_tables subsystem's handling of timeout-enabled set elements. Before the fix, set backend insertion, deactivation, and synchronous garbage-collection paths could evaluate expiration using independently obtained current times, allowing an element to expire while a control-plane transaction remained incomplete. The fix records a transaction timestamp in the per-network-namespace nftables state and uses that consistent timestamp for these transaction-bound operations. Packet-path lookup and update operations, lockless get and dump operations, and asynchronous workqueue garbage collection continue to evaluate expiration against current time as appropriate for their execution contexts.

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ANALYST BRIEF

Impact, mitigation & remediation

What it means. What to do now. Patch path, mitigations, and the assume-compromise checklist.

Impact

What an attacker gets, and what they’ve been doing with it.

An attacker able to manipulate timeout-enabled nftables set elements during control-plane transactions may trigger inconsistent element-expiration handling. The available information does not establish a specific consequence such as privilege escalation, code execution, information disclosure, or denial of service.

Mitigation

If you can’t patch tonight, do this now.

No specific interim mitigation is established. Restrict nftables administration to trusted privileged users and automation, minimize concurrent control-plane changes involving timeout-enabled sets, and promptly deploy a fixed kernel.

Remediation

Patch, then assume compromise.

Update to a Linux kernel release that includes the nf_tables transaction-timestamp fix for CVE-2024-27397. For affected Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8.6 and 8.8 update channels, install the vendor-provided updated kernel packages, including builds 4.18.0-372.111.1.el8_6 and 4.18.0-477.64.1.el8_8 where applicable, then reboot to run the updated kernel. Apply the corresponding vendor kernel update for other distributions.

PUBLIC EXPLOITS

Exploits

No public exploits tracked yet. Mallory keeps watching.

VALID 0 / 0 TOTALView more in app

No public exploit code observed for this vulnerability.

EXPOSURE SURFACE

Affected products & vendors

Products and vendors Mallory has correlated with this vulnerability. Open in Mallory to drill down to specific CPE configurations and version ranges.

VendorProductType

LinuxLinux Kerneloperating_system

Vendor-confirmed product mapping. Mallory continuously reconciles this list against your asset inventory.

ACTIVITY FEED

Recent activity

8 sources tracked across advisories and community write-ups. News coverage will land here when it surfaces.

8 SOURCESView more in app

No news coverage yet. Advisories and community discussion only.

What this page doesn’t show

The version that knows your environment.

This page is what’s public. Mallory adds the parts that aren’t: which of your assets are affected, which adversaries are exploiting it right now, which detections to deploy, and what to do tonight.

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Exposure mapping

Query your assets running an affected version, and investigate the blast radius.

Threat actor evidence

Every observed campaign linking this CVE to a named adversary.

Associated malware

Malware families riding this exploit, with evidence and IOCs.

Detection signatures

YARA, Sigma, Snort, and vendor rules, auto-deployed to your SIEM.

Vendor-by-vendor mapping

Cross-references every affected SKU, including bundled OEM variants.

Social activity