CVE-2024-43860 – This CVE describes a NULL pointer dereference v... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2024-43860?

CVE-2024-43860 has a CVSS score of 5.5 (MEDIUM). This CVE describes a NULL pointer dereference vulnerability in the Linux kernel's remoteproc driver for i.MX processors. The vulnerability occurs when parsing device tree memory regions, potentially causing kernel crashes or denial of service. Systems using affected Linux kernel versions with i.MX processors are impacted.

📋 TL;DR

This CVE describes a NULL pointer dereference vulnerability in the Linux kernel's remoteproc driver for i.MX processors. The vulnerability occurs when parsing device tree memory regions, potentially causing kernel crashes or denial of service. Systems using affected Linux kernel versions with i.MX processors are impacted.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Linux kernel

Versions: Specific affected versions not explicitly stated in CVE, but patches available for multiple stable branches

Operating Systems: Linux distributions using affected kernel versions

Default Config Vulnerable: ✅ No

Notes: Only affects systems using i.MX processors with remoteproc functionality and specific device tree configurations.

📦 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...

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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 panic leading to system crash and denial of service, potentially requiring physical reboot.

🟠

Likely Case

System instability or crash when specific device tree configurations are loaded, causing service disruption.

🟢

If Mitigated

Minimal impact with proper kernel hardening and privilege separation limiting exploitability.

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW - Requires local access or kernel-level compromise to trigger.

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Could be exploited by malicious local users or through other kernel vulnerabilities.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: MEDIUM

Requires ability to trigger the specific code path through device tree manipulation or other kernel access.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Multiple stable kernel versions with commits 2fa26ca8b786, 4e13b7c23988c, 6884fd0283e0, 6b50462b473fd, 6c9ea3547fad2

Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/2fa26ca8b786888673689ccc9da6094150939982

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Update Linux kernel to patched version. 2. Check distribution-specific advisories. 3. Reboot system after kernel update.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable remoteproc module

linux

Prevent loading of vulnerable imx_rproc driver module

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

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Restrict local user access to prevent malicious device tree manipulation
Implement kernel hardening features like SELinux/AppArmor to limit impact

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check kernel version and if imx_rproc module is loaded: lsmod | grep imx_rproc

Check Version:

uname -r

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify kernel version includes one of the fix commits: uname -r and check git log

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Kernel panic messages
NULL pointer dereference errors in kernel logs

Network Indicators:

None - local vulnerability only

SIEM Query:

search 'kernel: BUG: unable to handle kernel NULL pointer dereference' OR 'kernel: imx_rproc'

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2024-43860

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-476

Published: August 17, 2024

Last Updated: November 3, 2025

🔗 References

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🔗 Related Vulnerabilities

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