CVE-2024-42275
📋 TL;DR
This Linux kernel vulnerability in the Direct Rendering Manager (DRM) client subsystem causes the drm_client_buffer_vmap_local() function to incorrectly return success when it should return an error. This leads to locking issues and uninitialized memory pointers, potentially causing kernel instability or crashes. Systems running affected Linux kernel versions with DRM graphics functionality are vulnerable.
💻 Affected Systems
- Linux kernel
📦 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 or system crash leading to denial of service, potentially allowing privilege escalation if combined with other vulnerabilities.
Likely Case
System instability, application crashes, or denial of service affecting graphical applications and services.
If Mitigated
Minimal impact if systems don't use DRM client functionality or have proper isolation.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires local access and ability to trigger the specific DRM client function. Not directly remote exploitable.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Patches available in stable kernel trees (commits b5fbf924f125ba3638cfdc21c0515eb7e76264ca and c0f412961653237f52e2f16ee8747fb330bcf074)
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/b5fbf924f125ba3638cfdc21c0515eb7e76264ca
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update to a patched Linux kernel version from your distribution's repositories. 2. Reboot the system to load the new kernel. 3. Verify the kernel version after reboot.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable DRM client functionality
linuxRemove or disable DRM client modules if not needed
modprobe -r drm_client_modeset
echo 'blacklist drm_client_modeset' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict local user access to systems with vulnerable kernels
- Monitor system logs for kernel panics or DRM-related errors
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check kernel version and compare with distribution's security advisories. Run: uname -r and check if your distribution has released a patched version.Check Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel version after update matches patched version from your distribution. Check dmesg for any DRM-related errors after system operations.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel panic messages
- DRM-related error messages in dmesg or journalctl
- System crashes or application failures related to graphics
Network Indicators:
- None - this is a local vulnerability
SIEM Query:
source="kernel" AND ("panic" OR "oops" OR "BUG") AND ("drm" OR "graphics")