Critical Vulnerability in Linux Kernel: Task State Management Issue
Summary
DEBIAN-CVE-2024-50079: In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: io_uring/sqpoll: ensure task state is TASK_RUNNING when running task_work When the sqpoll is exiting and cancels pending work items, it may need to run... Affects linux versions < 6.11.5-1. Fixed in 6.11.5-1. How to fix ↓
Check if this vulnerability affects your application
Upload a manifest or SBOM and we'll show whether you're affected, plus every other risky package in the same scan.
No signup required · Results in about 60 seconds
Background
The Linux kernel is the core component of many operating systems, including Debian. It manages system resources and hardware communication, providing essential services for software applications. This vulnerability affects the Linux kernel versions in Debian 13 and 14, specifically related to the io_uring subsystem, which facilitates asynchronous I/O operations. The vulnerability arises from improper task state management during the cancellation of pending work items, potentially leading to system instability.
Vulnerability Detail
In the Linux kernel, a vulnerability has been identified in the io_uring subsystem where the task state may not be set to TASK_RUNNING when executing task_work during the cancellation of pending work items. This can occur when the sqpoll is exiting and may lead to a scheduler warning due to attempts to acquire the ring mutex while in a TASK_INTERRUPTIBLE state. The consequence of this vulnerability includes potential system crashes or unpredictable behavior, as blocking operations should not be called when the task is not in a running state.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
6.11.5-1
This is the first release that contains the fix.
sudo apt-get install --only-upgrade linuxTip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
Currently, there are no specific workarounds provided for this vulnerability. It is recommended to apply the patch as soon as it is available to mitigate risks.
Conclusion
The identified vulnerability in the Linux kernel poses significant risks to system stability due to improper task state management. It is crucial for users to update their systems to the patched version to mitigate these risks. Regular monitoring using tools like Vulert can help ensure that systems remain secure against such vulnerabilities.
See every vulnerability recorded for linux →
FAQ
The vulnerability involves improper task state management in the Linux kernel's io_uring subsystem, which can lead to system instability.
You can use the Vulert platform to monitor and alert for open-source vulnerabilities in your software. Visit Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected.
The vulnerability may lead to system crashes or unpredictable behavior due to improper handling of task states.
Yes, the patched version of the Linux kernel is 6.11.5-1 for both Debian 13 and 14.
You can update your Linux kernel by running the command: 'sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install linux'.
References
Related vulnerabilities
Recent vulnerabilities recorded for linux.
