CyberRota Analysis
AI-GeneratedThe vulnerability in the Linux kernel affects the SMC (Shared Memory Communications) protocol, where a race condition exists between the `smc_listen_out()` function and the listener's close operation. This flaw allows a remote attacker to exploit the timing window to exhaust kernel memory by opening TCP connections while the server is closing, leading to potential denial-of-service conditions. Organizations utilizing the Linux kernel with SMC support should prioritize addressing this vulnerability to prevent memory leaks and ensure system stability.
Original NVD Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net/smc: fix TOCTOU race between smc_listen_out() and listener close smc_listen_out() reads lsmc->sk.sk_state without the listener lock, then acquires lock_sock_nested() only after the check passes. This opens a window where smc_close_active() can transition the listener to SMC_CLOSED, call smc_close_cleanup_listen() to drain the accept queue, and release the lock, all between the lockless read and the delayed lock acquisition: smc_listen_work (smc_hs_wq) smc_close_active() ------------------------------- ------------------------- release_sock(child) if (sk_state == SMC_LISTEN) TRUE lock_sock(listener) sk_state = SMC_CLOSED smc_close_cleanup_listen() release_sock(listener) flush_work(tcp_listen_work) lock_sock_nested(listener) smc_accept_enqueue(listener, child) /* child enqueued on dead listener */ smc_close_active() flushes only tcp_listen_work. Work items already dispatched onto smc_hs_wq for the CLC handshake continue running unguarded. smc_accept_enqueue() takes a sock_hold() on the child that is never released, so the child smc_sock, its clcsock, and the reference all leak. A remote peer that opens TCP connections while the server calls close() can exhaust kernel memory. Move lock_sock_nested() to before the sk_state check so that the test and the enqueue are atomic under the listener lock.