CVE-2024-1086: 10-Year-Old Linux Kernel Bug Now in Ransomware Toolchains
Category:Vulnerabilities / Linux
CISA warns ransomware gangs are exploiting CVE-2024-1086, a Linux kernel use-after-free bug in netfilter: nf_tables that was introduced in 2014 and patched in January 2024. The vulnerability enables local privilege escalation and has been integrated into rootkits for kernel-level access. What's notable: this is a 10-year-old bug that lived quietly in production kernels until disclosure. Researcher Notselwyn published detailed analysis and PoC in March 2024, demonstrating reliable escalation on kernels 5.14–6.6 by avoiding fields that cause panics. CISA added to KEV catalog after public PoC release. The flaw affects major distributions—Debian, Ubuntu, Fedora, Red Hat—impacting kernel versions 3.15 through 6.8-rc1.
CORTEX Protocol Intelligence Assessment
The researcher found a way to bypass all mitigations and achieve highly reliable double-free primitive. What's interesting: ransomware operations are now integrating this into their toolchains, suggesting unpatched Linux servers remain widespread—particularly in cloud and hosting environments where kernel updates lag. CISA didn't disclose which ransomware groups are exploiting it or provide attack specifics, but the KEV listing signals active exploitation.
Strategic Intelligence Guidance
- Vulnerability introduced 2014, patched January 2024, added to CISA KEV March 2024
- Use-after-free in netfilter nf_tables enables local privilege escalation
- Affected kernels: 3.15 → 6.8-rc1 across Debian, Ubuntu, Fedora, Red Hat
- PoC demonstrates escalation on kernels 5.14–6.6 (Notselwyn, March 2024)
- Ransomware gangs integrating into rootkits for kernel-level persistence
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Intelligence Source: Old Linux Kernel flaw CVE-2024-1086 resurfaces in ransomware attacks | Nov 1, 2025