CyberRota Analysis
AI-GeneratedThe vulnerability in the Linux kernel affects the SCTP_CMD_TIMER_START handler, which improperly manages timer references, potentially leading to a use-after-free condition during association teardown. This can result in unstable system behavior or crashes, particularly impacting systems relying on SCTP for network communications. Organizations utilizing Linux systems with SCTP should prioritize patching this issue to maintain system integrity and prevent exploitation.
Original NVD Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: sctp: fix a TOCTOU race in SCTP_CMD_TIMER_START The SCTP_CMD_TIMER_START handler checks timer_pending() before calling timer_reduce(). The timer can expire and detach between these operations, causing timer_reduce() to rearm the timer without taking the association reference required for the newly armed timer. The timer callback later unconditionally drops its association reference, which can leave the association reference count unbalanced and result in use-after-free during association teardown. Use the return value of timer_reduce() to determine whether the timer was actually armed. Take the association reference only when timer_reduce() successfully starts a new timer, closing the race between checking the timer state and rearming it. This issue was reported by Nico Yip (@_cyeaa_) working with TrendAI Zero Day Initiative.