CVE-2023-52850
📋 TL;DR
A NULL pointer dereference vulnerability in the Linux kernel's Hantro video processing driver could cause kernel panics or system crashes. This affects systems using i.MX8MM/N/P processors with specific kernel versions where the VPU reset operation isn't properly defined. The vulnerability requires local access to trigger.
💻 Affected Systems
- Linux kernel with Hantro video driver
📦 What is this software?
Linux Kernel by Linux
The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...
Learn more about Linux Kernel →Linux Kernel by Linux
The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...
Learn more about Linux Kernel →Linux Kernel by Linux
The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...
Learn more about Linux Kernel →⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Kernel panic leading to system crash and denial of service, potentially causing data loss or service disruption.
Likely Case
System crash or kernel panic when video processing operations are attempted on affected hardware, requiring reboot.
If Mitigated
No impact if systems are patched or don't use the affected Hantro driver with i.MX8M processors.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires local access and ability to trigger video processing operations on affected hardware. Likely discovered through code review/fuzzing.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Fixed in kernel commits: 24c06295f28335ced3aad53dd4b0a0bae7b9b100 and related stable backports
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/24c06295f28335ced3aad53dd4b0a0bae7b9b100
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to version containing the fix. 2. For distributions: apply security updates from your vendor. 3. Reboot system to load patched kernel.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Hantro driver module
linuxPrevent loading of the vulnerable driver module if not needed
echo 'blacklist hantro' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf
rmmod hantro
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict local access to systems with affected hardware
- Monitor for kernel panic/crash events and implement high availability
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check kernel version and if Hantro module is loaded: 'lsmod | grep hantro' and 'uname -r'Check Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel version is patched and check dmesg for no NULL pointer dereference errors related to Hantro📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel panic messages
- NULL pointer dereference in dmesg
- Oops messages mentioning hantro or video processing
Network Indicators:
- None - local vulnerability only
SIEM Query:
source="kernel" AND ("NULL pointer dereference" OR "kernel panic") AND "hantro"🔗 References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/24c06295f28335ced3aad53dd4b0a0bae7b9b100
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/64f55cebb4339ae771e9e7f3f42bee2489e2fa00
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/66b4c5f980d741f3a47e4b65eeaf2797f2d59294
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/88d4b23a629ebd34f682f770cb6c2116c851f7b8
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/24c06295f28335ced3aad53dd4b0a0bae7b9b100
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/64f55cebb4339ae771e9e7f3f42bee2489e2fa00
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/66b4c5f980d741f3a47e4b65eeaf2797f2d59294
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/88d4b23a629ebd34f682f770cb6c2116c851f7b8
