CVE-2024-21976
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability in AMD's NPU driver allows attackers to execute arbitrary code by exploiting improper input validation. It affects systems with AMD processors that use the vulnerable NPU driver. Attackers could gain elevated privileges on affected systems.
💻 Affected Systems
- AMD Ryzen AI processors with NPU
⚠️ Manual Verification Required
This CVE does not have specific version information in our database, so automatic vulnerability detection cannot determine if your system is affected.
Why? The CVE database entry doesn't specify which versions are vulnerable (no version ranges provided by the vendor/NVD).
🔒 Custom verification scripts are available for registered users. Sign up free to download automated test scripts.
- Review the CVE details at NVD
- Check vendor security advisories for your specific version
- Test if the vulnerability is exploitable in your environment
- Consider updating to the latest version as a precaution
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Full system compromise with kernel-level privileges, allowing complete control over the affected system and potential lateral movement.
Likely Case
Local privilege escalation leading to unauthorized access to sensitive data and system resources.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper access controls and isolation, potentially only affecting the NPU driver context.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires local access and ability to interact with NPU driver. Exploitation involves crafting malicious pointer values.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Refer to AMD advisory for specific driver versions
Vendor Advisory: https://www.amd.com/en/resources/product-security/bulletin/amd-sb-7017.html
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Visit AMD's security advisory page. 2. Download the latest NPU driver for your processor. 3. Install the updated driver. 4. Reboot the system.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable NPU functionality
allTemporarily disable the NPU to prevent exploitation until patching is possible
Check BIOS/UEFI settings for NPU disable option
Restrict NPU driver access
allLimit which users can access the NPU driver interface
chmod 600 /dev/npu* (Linux)
Set appropriate ACLs on NPU device (Windows)
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict access controls to limit who can interact with NPU driver
- Monitor for unusual NPU driver activity and privilege escalation attempts
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check NPU driver version against AMD's advisory. On Linux: check driver version in /sys/class/npu/ or via dmesg. On Windows: check driver properties in Device Manager.Check Version:
Linux: cat /sys/class/npu/version or modinfo npu_driver | grep version. Windows: Check driver properties in Device Manager.Verify Fix Applied:
Verify NPU driver version matches or exceeds the patched version listed in AMD's advisory.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual NPU driver access attempts
- Failed NPU driver operations
- Privilege escalation events
Network Indicators:
- Not applicable - local vulnerability
SIEM Query:
Process creation where parent process interacts with NPU driver followed by privilege escalation