CVE-2024-50261

Kernel fault via premature metadata release

Published Nov 9, 2024 · Updated Aug 5, 2026

Use-after-free in Linux kernel 6.1 through 6.11.6 allows local users to trigger an invalid memory read during MACsec offloaded transmission. macsec_free_netdev() immediately frees the SCI-bearing metadata_dst while a socket buffer still references it, so mlx5e_xmit() later reads freed memory. Reachability requires a configured MACsec interface with hardware offload and local netlink control; the demonstrated consequence is a KASAN-detected kernel fault.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.22%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Use-after-free in Linux kernel 6.1 through 6.11.6 allows local users to trigger an invalid memory read during MACsec offloaded transmission. macsec_free_netdev() immediately frees the SCI-bearing metadata_dst while a socket buffer still references it, so mlx5e_xmit() later reads freed memory. Reachability requires a configured MACsec interface with hardware offload and local netlink control; the demonstrated consequence is a KASAN-detected kernel fault.

The record

CVE
CVE-2024-50261
Published
Nov 9, 2024
Updated
Aug 5, 2026
Vendor
The Linux Kernel Organization
Product
Linux
Classifications
CWE-416
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Nov 9, 2024CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. 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.

  1. Affected versionversion=0a28bfd4971fd570d1f3e4653b21415becefc92c <4614640f1d5c93c22272117dc256e9940ccac8e8
  2. Affected versionversion=0a28bfd4971fd570d1f3e4653b21415becefc92c <872932cf75cf859804370a265dd58118129386fa
  3. Affected versionversion=0a28bfd4971fd570d1f3e4653b21415becefc92c <9f5ae743dbe9a2458540a7d35fff0f990df025cf
  4. Affected versionversion=0a28bfd4971fd570d1f3e4653b21415becefc92c <f1e54d11b210b53d418ff1476c6b58a2f434dfc0
  5. Affected versionversion=6.1

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

The Linux Kernel Organization · Linuxversion=0a28bfd4971fd570d1f3e4653b21415becefc92c <4614640f1d5c93c22272117dc256e9940ccac8e8; version=0a28bfd4971fd570d1f3e4653b21415becefc92c <872932cf75cf859804370a265dd58118129386fa; version=0a28bfd4971fd570d1f3e4653b21415becefc92c <9f5ae743dbe9a2458540a7d35fff0f990df025cf; version=0a28bfd4971fd570d1f3e4653b21415becefc92c <f1e54d11b210b53d418ff1476c6b58a2f434dfc0; version=6.1

Published CVSS scores

7.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
7.8CISA-ADPCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

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No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-416Use After Free

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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