CVE-2024-36971: Android Kernel Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Should you act?

Exploited: patch now if you run it

CISA has confirmed exploitation in the wild. This signal is computed from CISA KEV, EPSS and CVSS data; it is not an editorial verdict.

• Yes, if you run Android Kernel. CISA added this CVE to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2024-08-07, which means there is reliable evidence of exploitation in the wild. US federal agencies must remediate by 2024-08-28; treat that as the outer limit, not the target.
• EPSS 2.7%, percentile 86: FIRST’s model estimates a 2.7% chance of exploitation activity in the next 30 days, higher than 86% of all scored CVEs (elevated). EPSS is a probability, not a verdict.
• Needs local access needed. Lower urgency for most teams unless an attacker could already run code on the machine.

What it is

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net: fix dstnegativeadvice() race dstnegativeadvice() does not enforce proper RCU rules when sk->dstcache must be cleared, leading to possible UAF. RCU rules are that we must first clear sk->skdstcache, then call dstrelease(olddst). Note that skdstreset(sk) is implementing this protocol correctly, while dstnegativeadvice() uses the wrong order. Given that ip6negativeadvice() has special logic against RTFCACHE, this means each of the three ->negativeadvice() existing methods must perform the skdstreset() themselves. Note the check against NULL dst is centralized in dstnegativeadvice(), there is no need to duplicate it in various callbacks. Many thanks to Clement Lecigne for tracking this issue. This old bug became visible after the blamed commit, using UDP sockets.

CISA’s summary

Android contains an unspecified vulnerability in the kernel that allows for remote code execution. This vulnerability resides in Linux Kernel and could impact other products, including but not limited to Android OS.

Weakness type: CWE-416.

Product: Android Kernel · Assigned by: Linux · Published: 2024-06-10

Affected and fixed versions

Severity scores

• Attack vector: local access needed
• Attack complexity: low
• Privileges required: low (any account)
• User interaction: none
• Scope: unchanged

CVSS measures how bad a flaw is if exploited, not how likely exploitation is. Read it next to the exploitation data below.

Exploitation and urgency

• CISA KEV: added 2024-08-07; federal due date 2024-08-28. Known ransomware use: Unknown.
• CISA required action: Apply mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
• CISA SSVC assessment: exploitation active, automatable no, technical impact total.
• FIRST EPSS (model of 2026-10-21): 2.70% probability of exploitation activity in the next 30 days; percentile 86.

Timeline

• 2024-06-10 — CVE record published by Linux
• 2024-08-07 — Added to CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog
• 2024-08-28 — CISA remediation deadline for US federal agencies
• 2026-08-05 — CVE record last updated

Sources and references

Original sources first. Version and fix details should always be confirmed against the vendor or project advisory.

Vendor and project advisories, patches

1. Listed in CISA KEV notes (source.android.com) source.android.com
2. Listed in CISA KEV notes (lore.kernel.org) lore.kernel.org

Vulnerability records

1. CVE.org record CVE-2024-36971 cve.org
2. NVD entry CVE-2024-36971 nvd.nist.gov

Government

1. CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog entry cisa.gov

Other references from the CVE record and advisory

1. git.kernel.org git.kernel.org
2. git.kernel.org git.kernel.org
3. git.kernel.org git.kernel.org
4. git.kernel.org git.kernel.org
5. git.kernel.org git.kernel.org
6. git.kernel.org git.kernel.org
7. git.kernel.org git.kernel.org
8. git.kernel.org git.kernel.org
9. lists.debian.org lists.debian.org

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