CVE-2024-38552 – This CVE describes an out-of-bounds array acces... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2024-38552?

CVE-2024-38552 has a CVSS score of 7.8 (HIGH). This CVE describes an out-of-bounds array access vulnerability in the AMD display driver within the Linux kernel. An attacker could potentially exploit this to cause a kernel panic (denial of service) or possibly execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. Systems using AMD graphics hardware with affected Linux kernel versions are vulnerable.

📋 TL;DR

This CVE describes an out-of-bounds array access vulnerability in the AMD display driver within the Linux kernel. An attacker could potentially exploit this to cause a kernel panic (denial of service) or possibly execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. Systems using AMD graphics hardware with affected Linux kernel versions are vulnerable.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Linux kernel with AMD GPU display driver (drm/amd/display)

Versions: Linux kernel versions before the fix commits (specific versions vary by distribution)

Operating Systems: Linux distributions with affected kernel versions

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Requires AMD GPU hardware and the amdgpu driver to be loaded and active. Systems without AMD graphics or with the driver disabled are not affected.

📦 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 →

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 memory corruption leading to arbitrary code execution with kernel privileges, potentially resulting in full system compromise.

🟠

Likely Case

Kernel panic causing system crash and denial of service, requiring physical or remote console access to reboot.

🟢

If Mitigated

System crash with automatic reboot if kernel panic handling is configured, minimal data loss if applications have proper recovery mechanisms.

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW - This vulnerability requires local access or ability to trigger specific display operations, not directly exploitable over network.

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Local attackers or malicious users could exploit this to crash systems or potentially escalate privileges.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: MEDIUM

Exploitation requires triggering specific color transformation operations, likely requiring local access or ability to run code that manipulates display settings.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Linux kernel versions containing the fix commits (04bc4d1090c3, 123edbae64f4, 4e8c8b37ee84, 604c506ca43f, 63ae548f1054)

Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/04bc4d1090c343025d69149ca669a27c5b9c34a7

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Update Linux kernel to version containing the fix commits. 2. For distributions: Use package manager (apt/yum/dnf) to update kernel package. 3. Reboot system to load new kernel.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable AMD GPU driver

linux

Prevent loading of the vulnerable amdgpu driver module

echo 'blacklist amdgpu' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist-amdgpu.conf
update-initramfs -u
reboot

Use basic display mode

linux

Avoid advanced display features that might trigger the vulnerable code path

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Restrict local access to systems - implement strict user access controls and monitoring
Disable unnecessary display features and color management in system settings

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check kernel version and if amdgpu module is loaded: uname -r && lsmod | grep amdgpu

Check Version:

uname -r

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify kernel version is updated and check dmesg for amdgpu driver loading without errors

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Kernel panic messages in /var/log/kern.log or dmesg
amdgpu driver crash or error messages

Network Indicators:

Sudden loss of connectivity from system crash

SIEM Query:

source="kernel" AND ("panic" OR "Oops" OR "amdgpu" AND "error")

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2024-38552

CVSS v3 Score: 7.8 (HIGH)

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

CWE: CWE-129

Published: June 19, 2024

Last Updated: November 4, 2025

🔗 References

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🔗 Related Vulnerabilities

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