A critical development in the cybersecurity landscape requires immediate attention for administrators managing Linux systems. The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, widely known as CISA, has issued a significant update by including a dangerous Linux Kernel vulnerability in its official Known Exploited Vulnerabilities, or KEV list.
This inclusion is a stark warning, signifying that the vulnerability is not just theoretical but is being actively used by attackers in the real world. The specific flaw added is CVE-2024-1086, a use-after-free vulnerability found within the netfilter subsystem of the Linux Kernel. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can allow a local attacker to achieve privilege escalation, potentially gaining higher-level control over an affected system.
For U.S. federal civilian executive branch agencies, this addition triggers a mandatory response. They are now required by CISA‘s directive to patch their systems against CVE-2024-1086 within a short deadline, typically 15 days, to mitigate the immediate risk.
While the directive specifically targets federal agencies, the presence of any vulnerability on the KEV list underscores its critical nature for all organizations and individuals running the affected software. The fact that it’s actively being exploited means systems that are not updated are exposed to genuine and present danger.
Fortunately, a patch is available. The Linux Kernel versions 6.8.1, 6.7.12, and 6.6.26 address this specific flaw. Security experts emphasize that promptly applying these updates is the most effective defense against exploitation. Ignoring vulnerabilities on the KEV list is a high-stakes gamble, as attackers are known to prioritize exploiting these very weaknesses. Ensuring robust patching routines is fundamental to maintaining strong cybersecurity posture against current threats.
Source: https://securityaffairs.com/179104/hacking/u-s-cisa-adds-linux-kernel-flaw-to-its-known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog-2.html
