CVE-2024-1312

What it actually does

Use-after-free in the Linux kernel maple tree implementation triggered when mas_prev_slot fails after an attacker wins concurrent races, resulting in invalid memory access and kernel panic.

Why it matters to the business

Local denial-of-service that can crash affected Linux systems and disrupt running services; low likelihood of exploitation but still requires patching to maintain system stability across many deployments.

How an attack unfolds

A local attacker with a user account repeatedly performs memory mapping and file operations designed to win two races simultaneously, causing the kernel to call mas_prev_slot on already-freed memory and panic the system.

How to fix it

Update the Linux kernel to a version containing commit 2dde18cd1d8fac735875f2e4987f11817cc0bc2c or later; apply vendor-supplied kernel packages as soon as available.

How to confirm the fix worked

Verify the running kernel contains the listed commit or a later equivalent; test for the original race conditions in a lab environment or review kernel source for the fix.

Typical attack path

1. Obtain a local user account on the target Linux system
2. Execute crafted sequences of mmap, munmap, and file operations to trigger concurrent races
3. Force mas_prev_slot to operate on a freed maple tree node
4. Trigger kernel panic and system crash

How to detect it

Inspect kernel panic logs and dmesg output for references to maple tree or mas_prev_slot functions around the time of unexpected reboots; correlate with user activity that performs heavy memory mapping.

What your security team should do

• Prioritize kernel updates on all affected Linux systems
• Monitor kernel logs for unexplained panics referencing memory management functions
• Restrict untrusted local accounts where possible until patches are deployed