CVE-2023-52888
📋 TL;DR
This CVE addresses a double-free vulnerability in the MediaTek vcodec driver in the Linux kernel where buffer virtual addresses (VAs) could be freed multiple times when NULL checks were missing. This affects Linux systems using MediaTek video codec hardware, potentially causing kernel crashes or instability. The vulnerability requires local access to exploit.
💻 Affected Systems
- Linux kernel with MediaTek vcodec 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 →⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Kernel panic leading to system crash, denial of service, or potential privilege escalation if combined with other vulnerabilities.
Likely Case
System instability, kernel warnings/errors in logs, or application crashes when using MediaTek video codec functionality.
If Mitigated
Minor performance impact from additional NULL checks with no security consequences.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires local access and knowledge of triggering the specific code paths in the MediaTek vcodec driver. No public exploits have been reported.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Linux kernel with commits 303d01082edaf817ee2df53a40dca9da637a2c04 and 5c217253c76c94f76d1df31d0bbdcb88dc07be91
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/303d01082edaf817ee2df53a40dca9da637a2c04
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to version containing the fix commits. 2. Check your distribution's security advisories for specific patched kernel versions. 3. Reboot the system after kernel update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable MediaTek vcodec module
linuxUnload or blacklist the affected kernel module if video codec functionality is not required
sudo rmmod mtk_vcodec_dec
sudo rmmod mtk_vcodec_enc
echo 'blacklist mtk_vcodec_dec' | sudo tee /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist-mtk-vcodec.conf
echo 'blacklist mtk_vcodec_enc' | sudo tee -a /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist-mtk-vcodec.conf
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict local user access to systems with MediaTek hardware
- Monitor system logs for kernel warnings related to vcodec or double-free errors
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if MediaTek vcodec modules are loaded: lsmod | grep mtk_vcodecCheck Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Check kernel version against distribution's patched versions and verify modules load without errors📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel warnings about double-free, invalid free, or MediaTek vcodec errors in dmesg or /var/log/kern.log
Network Indicators:
- None - local vulnerability only
SIEM Query:
source="kernel" AND ("double free" OR "invalid free" OR "mtk_vcodec")🔗 References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/303d01082edaf817ee2df53a40dca9da637a2c04
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/5c217253c76c94f76d1df31d0bbdcb88dc07be91
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/eb005c801ec70ff4307727bd3bd6e8280169ef32
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/303d01082edaf817ee2df53a40dca9da637a2c04
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/5c217253c76c94f76d1df31d0bbdcb88dc07be91
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/eb005c801ec70ff4307727bd3bd6e8280169ef32
