CVE-2024-43806

`rustix::fs::Dir` iterator with the `linux_raw` backend can cause memory explosion

MEDIUM
6.5
CVSS Score
Published: August 26, 2024 at 06:43 PM UTC
Updated: June 17, 2026 at 07:51 AM UTC
1 product affected across 1 vendorRustix

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Severity
MEDIUM6.5
Exploit prediction
EPSS 0.5%
SSVC
PoC

Description

Rustix is a set of safe Rust bindings to POSIX-ish APIs. When using `rustix::fs::Dir` using the `linux_raw` backend, it's possible for the iterator to "get stuck" when an IO error is encountered. Combined with a memory over-allocation issue in `rustix::fs::Dir::read_more`, this can cause quick and unbounded memory explosion (gigabytes in a few seconds if used on a hot path) and eventually lead to an OOM crash of the application. The symptoms were initially discovered in https://github.com/imsnif/bandwhich/issues/284. That post has lots of details of our investigation. Full details can be read on the GHSA-c827-hfw6-qwvm repo advisory. If a program tries to access a directory with its file descriptor after the file has been unlinked (or any other action that leaves the `Dir` iterator in the stuck state), and the implementation does not break after seeing an error, it can cause a memory explosion. As an example, Linux's various virtual file systems (e.g. `/proc`, `/sys`) can contain directories that spontaneously pop in and out of existence. Attempting to iterate over them using `rustix::fs::Dir` directly or indirectly (e.g. with the `procfs` crate) can trigger this fault condition if the implementation decides to continue on errors. An attacker knowledgeable about the implementation details of a vulnerable target can therefore try to trigger this fault condition via any one or a combination of several available APIs. If successful, the application host will quickly run out of memory, after which the application will likely be terminated by an OOM killer, leading to denial of service. This issue has been addressed in release versions 0.35.15, 0.36.16, 0.37.25, and 0.38.19. Users are advised to upgrade. There are no known workarounds for this issue.

Affected

Our own answer: ranges merged, affected separated from platform-only, with confidence and review flags.

v < 0.35.15v < 0.36.16v < 0.37.25v < 0.38.190.35.11 ≤ v < 0.35.150.36.0 ≤ v < 0.36.160.37.0 ≤ v < 0.37.250.38.0 ≤ v < 0.38.190.35.110.36.00.37.00.38.0
Affected range stops below 0.35.15, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement
Affected range stops below 0.36.16, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement
Affected range stops below 0.37.25, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement
Affected range stops below 0.38.19, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement

Remediation

No guide yet

No remediation guidance has been written for this CVE yet, and no fixed version or vendor advisory is recorded against it.

SSVC — Action Prioritization

SSVCPoCNot automatablePartial impact

SSVC signals action urgency (what to patch first), separate from CVSS which measures severity.

CVSS

6.5MEDIUMGitHub_M
Attack Vector
NETWORK
Complexity
LOW
Privileges
LOW
User Interaction
NONE
Scope
UNCHANGED
Confidentiality
NONE
Integrity
NONE
Availability
HIGH
Vector?

Quick Info

StatusDEFERRED
CWE
CWE-400

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