CVE-2024-35877

CVE-2024-35877 pertains to a flaw in the Linux kernel's handling of Page Attribute Table (PAT) settings during Copy-On-Write (COW) operations. When a write operation triggers a COW event, the kernel may replace the original page table entries (PTEs) with anonymous folios. This replacement disrupts the kernel's ability to accurately retrieve the correct page frame number (PFN) and cache mode using the follow_phys() function. Consequently, this mismanagement can lead to memory leaks or system instability.

During COW operations, the kernel's PAT handling may incorrectly replace PTEs, leading to failures in functions like untrack_pfn() and track_pfn_copy(). This mismanagement can result in improper memory tracking and potential leaks.

Systems may experience memory leaks or instability due to the kernel's inability to correctly manage memory attributes during COW events.

This vulnerability is rated as having a Moderate impact because it requires an attacker to execute code locally with standard user privileges to trigger copy-on-write faults against specialized memory mappings. Successful exploitation is limited to causing memory leaks or triggering kernel warnings, impacting system availability without permitting unauthorized elevation of privileges or compromising data confidentiality. Typical Red Hat Enterprise Linux workloads are unlikely to encounter this condition unless unprivileged users intentionally manipulate private mappings associated with page attribute table management.

The CVSS score(s) listed for this vulnerability do not reflect the associated product's status, and are included for informational purposes to better understand the severity of this vulnerability.