CVE-2024-1086
CVE-2024-1086 is a security flaw in Linux Kernel, the core of Linux, which runs most servers, Android phones and many home routers. Someone who already has a foothold can use Linux Kernel to take full control of the machine. The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) added it to its catalog of flaws known to be used in attacks on 30 May 2024, and says ransomware gangs have used it.[1]
Linux Kernel is business software or equipment. Most families won’t have it, but attackers break into it to get inside companies, and from there to what those companies hold about their customers, patients and staff. Fixed in version 6.8.
Description
CISA calls it an use-after-free in Linux Kernel. In its words: “Linux kernel contains a use-after-free vulnerability in the netfilter: nf_tables component that allows an attacker to achieve local privilege escalation.”[1]
The CVE record adds: “A use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's netfilter: nf_tables component can be exploited to achieve local privilege escalation. The nft_verdict_init() function allows positive values as drop error within the hook verdict, and hence the nf_hook_slow() function can cause a double free vulnerability when NF_DROP is issued with a drop error which resembles NF_ACCEPT. We recommend upgrading past commit f342de4e2f33e0e39165d8639387aa6c19dff660.”[2]
The underlying weakness is use after free (CWE-416), in MITRE’s list of common software weaknesses.
It scores 7.8 out of 10 on the Common Vulnerability Scoring System, which rates it high, scored by NVD using CVSS 3.1.[2]
Affected versions
NVD’s record lists these fixed versions: in each line, everything before the version shown is affected.[2]
| Product | Fixed in |
|---|---|
| Kernel | 6.8 |
| linux_kernel | 6.8 |
Most families won’t have Linux Kernel; it’s for whoever looks after IT at work.
Exploitation
CISA added it to its catalog of known exploited vulnerabilities on 30 May 2024, 120 days after it was made public. CISA lists a flaw only when it has reliable evidence of it being exploited, and gave US federal agencies until 20 Jun 2024 to fix it.[1] CISA says ransomware gangs have used it.
FIRST’s Exploit Prediction Scoring System, which estimates how likely a flaw is to be used in attacks in the next 30 days from what it sees across the internet, puts it at 28%. That’s in the top 2% of the flaws it scores.[4]
CISA assesses it as not automatable: each attack takes some work.
CISA doesn’t say who was attacked, or how.
Fix
Linux has published a fix or advice.[3] CISA’s required action: “Apply mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.”[1]
- Check whether you use it.Linux Kernel is business software or equipment, so most families won’t have it. If you run a business, or work from home on company equipment, ask whoever looks after your IT.
- Send this page to your IT person.Ask them to confirm it’s fixed (fixed in version 6.8), or not in use. CISA gave US government agencies until 20 Jun 2024 to fix it.
- If it can’t be fixed, take it offline.CISA’s advice when there’s no fix is to stop using the product, or take it off the internet, until there is one.
You can’t fix someone else’s server, but you can watch for what follows a break-in like this: a breach notice, a password reset you didn’t ask for, or a scam message that knows things it shouldn’t. HARD watches for those for you and your family.
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| The flaw is made public in the National Vulnerability Database, with a severity score of 7.8.[2] | |
| CISA adds it to its catalog of flaws known to be used in attacks, noting that ransomware gangs have used it.[1] | |
| CISA’s deadline for US government agencies to fix it.[1] | |
| FIRST puts the odds of it being used in attacks in the next 30 days at 28%.[4] |
See also
Other Linux Kernel flaws
- CVE-2026-46300: missing initialization of a variable ·
- CVE-2026-53266: out-of-bounds write ·
- CVE-2025-39964: race condition ·
- CVE-2025-39682: improper check for unusual or exceptional conditions ·
- CVE-2026-53362: unspecified ·
- CVE-2022-0995: out-of-bounds write ·
Other use after free flaws
- CVE-2026-109619, PHP: stale internal request-state ·
- CVE-2026-109618, PHP: memory corruption ·
- CVE-2026-68820, Microsoft Windows Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock: use-after-free ·
- CVE-2010-0249, Microsoft Internet Explorer: use-after-free ·
- CVE-2020-9715, Adobe Acrobat: use-after-free ·
Added the same day
- CVE-2024-24919, Check Point Quantum Security Gateways: information disclosure ·
Every Linux flaw on CISA’s list · Everything added in May 2024
References
- ^ Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. “Linux Kernel Use-After-Free Vulnerability”. Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog, added 30 May 2024.
- ^ National Institute of Standards and Technology. “CVE-2024-1086 Detail”. National Vulnerability Database, published 31 Jan 2024.
- ^ Linux. Advisories and fixes: git.kernel.org, kernel.dance.
- ^ FIRST. “Exploit Prediction Scoring System”. EPSS 0.281, percentile 98.1, 31 Oct 2026.
- CVE Program. “CVE-2024-1086”. The official CVE record.
This article is built from CISA’s catalog (version 2026.10.30), NVD’s record and FIRST’s scores, kept in HARD’s database and checked every morning. The plain English is HARD’s.