CVE-2024-53138: In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net/mlx5e: kTLS, Fix incorrect page refcounting The kTLS tx handling code is usi...

Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net/mlx5e: kTLS, Fix incorrect page refcounting The kTLS tx handling code is using a mix of get_page() and page_ref_inc() APIs to increment the page reference. But on the release path (mlx5e_ktls_tx_handle_resync_dump_comp()), only put_page() is used. This is an issue when using pages from large folios: the get_page() references are stored on the folio page while the page_ref_inc() references are stored directly in the given page. On release the folio page will be dereferenced too many times. This was found while doing kTLS testing with sendfile() + ZC when the served file was read from NFS on a kernel with NFS large folios support (commit 49b29a573da8 ("nfs: add support for large folios")).

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

5.5/10

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

EPSS Probability

0.21%

11.5th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions	Update
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 5.4, < 6.1.119	—
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 6.2, < 6.6.63	—
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 6.7, < 6.11.10	—
Linux	Linux Kernel	6.12	Rc1

References

Timeline

Published: Dec 4, 2024
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2024-53138?

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net/mlx5e: kTLS, Fix incorrect page refcounting The kTLS tx handling code is using a mix of get_page() and page_ref_inc() APIs to increment the page reference. But on the release path (mlx5e_ktls_tx_handle_resync_dump_comp()), only put_page() is used. This is an issue when using pages from large folios: the get_page() references are stored on the folio page while the page_ref_inc() references are stored directly in the given page. On release the folio page will be dereferenced too many times. This was found while doing kTLS testing with sendfile() + ZC when the served file was read from NFS on a kernel with NFS large folios support (commit 49b29a573da8 ("nfs: add support for large folios")).

How severe is CVE-2024-53138?

CVE-2024-53138 has a CVSS score of 5.5/10 (MEDIUM severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.21% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2024-53138?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.