Local kernel compromise via cursor buffer race
Published May 17, 2024 · Updated Aug 5, 2026
Race condition in the Linux vmwgfx cursor-plane code allows local users to read and modify kernel memory through concurrent cursor updates. vmw_plane_state manages mapped buffer-object lifetimes itself, allowing cleanup to invalidate cursor memory while an atomic update still uses it. Access to the VMware guest DRM card node is required; winning the race exposes recycled kernel memory, corrupts kernel objects, or crashes the guest.
Summary
What happened
Race condition in the Linux vmwgfx cursor-plane code allows local users to read and modify kernel memory through concurrent cursor updates. vmw_plane_state manages mapped buffer-object lifetimes itself, allowing cleanup to invalidate cursor memory while an atomic update still uses it. Access to the VMware guest DRM card node is required; winning the race exposes recycled kernel memory, corrupts kernel objects, or crashes the guest.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2024-35810
- Published
- May 17, 2024
- Updated
- Aug 5, 2026
- Vendor
- The Linux Kernel Organization
- Product
- Linux
- Classifications
- T1068
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- authenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- May 17, 2024CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Aug 5, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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Is a vulnerable build present?
Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.
- Affected versionversion=6.2
- Affected versionversion=bb6780aa5a1d99e86757c0c96bfae65a46cf839e <104a5b2772bc7c0715ae7355ccf9d294a472765c
- Affected versionversion=bb6780aa5a1d99e86757c0c96bfae65a46cf839e <86cb706a40b7e6b2221ee49a298a65ad9b46c02d
- Affected versionversion=bb6780aa5a1d99e86757c0c96bfae65a46cf839e <9a9e8a7159ca09af9b1a300a6c8e8b6ff7501c76
- Affected versionversion=bb6780aa5a1d99e86757c0c96bfae65a46cf839e <ed381800ea6d9a4c7f199235a471c0c48100f0ae
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.
Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
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Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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