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🛡️ CVE-2024-50020 — kernel

🟡 CVSS 5.5 — Medium ✅ No Known Exploit NVD
5.5
CVSS Score
0 Low4 Medium7 High9 Critical10

Description

ice: Fix improper handling of refcount in ice_sriov_set_msix_vec_count()

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

ice: Fix improper handling of refcount in ice_sriov_set_msix_vec_count()

This patch addresses an issue with improper reference count handling in the

ice_sriov_set_msix_vec_count() function.

First, the function calls ice_get_vf_by_id(), which increments the

reference count of the vf pointer. If the subsequent call to

ice_get_vf_vsi() fails, the function currently returns an error without

decrementing the reference count of the vf pointer, leading to a reference

count leak. The correct behavior, as implemented in this patch, is to

decrement the reference count using ice_put_vf(vf) before returning an

error when vsi is NULL.

Second, the function calls ice_sriov_get_irqs(), which sets

vf->first_vector_idx. If this call returns a negative value, indicating an

error, the function returns an error without decrementing the reference

count of the vf pointer, resulting in another reference count leak. The

patch addresses this by adding a call to ice_put_vf(vf) before returning

an error when vf->first_vector_idx < 0.

This bug was identified by an experimental static analysis tool developed

by our team. The tool specializes in analyzing reference count operations

and identifying potential mismanagement of reference counts. In this case,

the tool flagged the missing decrement operation as a potential issue,

leading to this patch.

How this vulnerability can be exploited

This issue can be reached with local access to the system, attack complexity is low, an attacker needs low-level privileges on the target. No user interaction is required. The scope is unchanged, so the impact stays within the vulnerable component. Rated impact: confidentiality none, integrity none, availability high.

CVSS metrics in full

The score comes from this vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

  • Attack vector: Local — a local account, shell or session on the host is needed.
  • Attack complexity: Low — the attack works reliably, with no preparation.
  • Privileges required: Low — an ordinary user account is enough.
  • User interaction: None — nobody has to be tricked into anything.
  • Scope: Unchanged — the damage stays inside the vulnerable component.
  • Confidentiality impact: None.
  • Integrity impact: None.
  • Availability impact: High — total loss, or loss the attacker controls.

Affected software

CVE-2024-50020 is recorded against 2 packages.

  • kernel (from 6.7.0 up to 6.11.4)
  • linux-kernel

Timeline and source

Published on 21 October 2024 and last revised on 12 August 2026. No public exploit is currently recorded for this entry. A vendor advisory or fix has been published. Record sourced from NVD.

References

git.kernel.org (Web)
git.kernel.org (Web)
github.com (Advisory)
nvd.nist.gov (Advisory)
git.kernel.org (Package)

Other advisories for this package

kernel has other advisories on record. If you are patching this one, these are worth checking on the same host:

CVE-2024-50020 on other distributions

Each distribution ships its own build and its own fixed version. Pick the one you run:

Details

Severity Medium
CVSS Score 5.5
CVSS Vector CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
CWE N/A
Public Exploit ✅ No
Source NVD
Published 2024-10-21
Updated 2026-08-20
Modified 2026-08-12

Affected Packages

Software From version Fixed in
kernel 6.7.0 6.11.4
linux-kernel — —

Similar Threats

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ⓘ Data Notice: The information presented above has been compiled from publicly available internet sources. Boteraser aggregates this data solely for informational purposes and does not independently classify, evaluate, or endorse any findings about the vulnerabilities listed. The accuracy and completeness of this information is the sole responsibility of the original publishers. Boteraser and its operators accept no liability for any decisions made based on this data.

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