CVE-2024-26985 – This CVE describes a memory leak vulnerability ... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2024-26985?

CVE-2024-26985 has a CVSS score of 5.5 (MEDIUM). This CVE describes a memory leak vulnerability in the Linux kernel's Xe graphics driver. When the intel_fb_bo_framebuffer_init function fails, it doesn't properly release a buffer object reference, causing a memory leak. This affects systems using the Xe graphics driver in vulnerable Linux kernel versions.

📋 TL;DR

This CVE describes a memory leak vulnerability in the Linux kernel's Xe graphics driver. When the intel_fb_bo_framebuffer_init function fails, it doesn't properly release a buffer object reference, causing a memory leak. This affects systems using the Xe graphics driver in vulnerable Linux kernel versions.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Linux kernel with Xe graphics driver

Versions: Linux kernel versions containing the vulnerable commit up to the fix

Operating Systems: Linux distributions using affected kernel versions

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Only affects systems using the Xe graphics driver. Systems without Xe driver or with it disabled are not vulnerable.

📦 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 →

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

Sustained exploitation could lead to kernel memory exhaustion, causing system instability, crashes, or denial of service.

🟠

Likely Case

Memory leak gradually consumes kernel resources, potentially leading to performance degradation or system instability over time.

🟢

If Mitigated

With proper monitoring and resource limits, impact is limited to potential performance issues that can be detected and addressed.

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW - This is a local kernel vulnerability requiring local access or existing system compromise to trigger.

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Local users or processes could exploit this to degrade system performance or stability.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: MEDIUM

Exploitation requires local access and ability to trigger the specific error path in the graphics driver initialization.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Linux kernel with commit a2f3d731be3893e730417ae3190760fcaffdf549 or later

Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/652ead9b746a63e4e79d7ad66d3edf0a8a5b0c2f

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Update Linux kernel to version containing the fix commit. 2. Check distribution-specific security advisories. 3. Reboot system to load patched kernel.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable Xe graphics driver

linux

Prevent loading of the vulnerable Xe graphics driver module

echo 'blacklist xe' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf
rmmod xe

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Implement kernel memory monitoring to detect unusual memory consumption patterns
Restrict local user access to systems where possible

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check kernel version and verify if Xe driver is loaded: lsmod | grep xe && uname -r

Check Version:

uname -r

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify kernel version includes fix commit or is newer than vulnerable versions

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Kernel oom-killer messages
Unusual memory consumption in /proc/meminfo
System instability logs

Network Indicators:

None - this is a local vulnerability

SIEM Query:

Search for kernel panic logs, memory exhaustion alerts, or repeated graphics driver initialization failures

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2024-26985

CVSS v3 Score: 5.5 (MEDIUM)

CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

CWE: CWE-401

Published: May 1, 2024

Last Updated: November 4, 2025

🔗 References

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🔗 Related Vulnerabilities

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