CVE-2024-50020

MEDIUM

Linux kernel - Improper Reference Count Handling

Title source: llm
STIX 2.1

Description

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.

Scores

CVSS v3 5.5
EPSS 0.0020
EPSS Percentile 10.6%
Attack Vector LOCAL
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

CISA SSVC

Vulnrichment
Exploitation none
Automatable no
Technical Impact partial

Details

Status published
Products (9)
linux/Kernel 6.7.0 - 6.11.4linux
Linux/Linux < 6.7
Linux/Linux 4d38cb44bd321c81da3457cfbc38501ed8cb6714 - 416dbb815ca69684de148328990ba0ec53e6dbc1
Linux/Linux 4d38cb44bd321c81da3457cfbc38501ed8cb6714 - d517cf89874c6039e6294b18d66f40988e62502a
Linux/Linux 6.11.4 - 6.11.*
Linux/Linux 6.12
Linux/Linux 6.7
linux/linux_kernel 6.12 rc1 (2 CPE variants)
linux/linux_kernel 6.7.10 - 6.8
Published Oct 21, 2024
Tracked Since Feb 18, 2026