CVE-2024-46685 – This CVE describes a NULL pointer dereference v... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2024-46685?

CVE-2024-46685 has a CVSS score of 5.5 (MEDIUM). This CVE describes a NULL pointer dereference vulnerability in the Linux kernel's pinctrl-single driver. If exploited, it could cause a kernel panic or system crash, affecting all systems running vulnerable Linux kernel versions with this driver loaded. The vulnerability occurs when pinmux_generic_get_function() returns NULL but the pointer isn't properly checked before dereferencing.

📋 TL;DR

This CVE describes a NULL pointer dereference vulnerability in the Linux kernel's pinctrl-single driver. If exploited, it could cause a kernel panic or system crash, affecting all systems running vulnerable Linux kernel versions with this driver loaded. The vulnerability occurs when pinmux_generic_get_function() returns NULL but the pointer isn't properly checked before dereferencing.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Linux kernel

Versions: Specific vulnerable versions not explicitly stated, but affects versions before the fix commits listed in references.

Operating Systems: Linux distributions using affected kernel versions

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Only vulnerable if the pinctrl-single driver is loaded and used. Many systems may not use this specific pin control driver.

📦 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 →

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 causing data loss or service disruption.

🟠

Likely Case

System crash or kernel panic requiring reboot, resulting in temporary service interruption.

🟢

If Mitigated

No impact if the vulnerable driver isn't loaded or the system has been patched.

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW - Requires local access or ability to trigger the vulnerable code path remotely through other means.

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Local users or processes could potentially trigger the vulnerability, causing system instability.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: MEDIUM

Requires ability to trigger the vulnerable code path in pcs_get_function(). Found during code review, not through active exploitation.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Kernel versions containing the fix commits: 0a2bab5ed161318f57134716accba0a30f3af191, 1c38a62f15e595346a1106025722869e87ffe044, 292151af6add3e5ab11b2e9916cffa5f52859a1f, 2cea369a5c2e85ab14ae716da1d1cc6d25c85e11, 4e9436375fcc9bd2a60ee96aba6ed53f7a377d10

Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0a2bab5ed161318f57134716accba0a30f3af191

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Update Linux kernel to version containing the fix commits. 2. Reboot system to load new kernel. 3. Verify kernel version after reboot.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable pinctrl-single module

linux

Prevent loading of the vulnerable driver if not required

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

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Ensure proper access controls to prevent unauthorized users from triggering the vulnerable code path
Monitor system logs for kernel panics or crashes and have incident response procedures ready

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check if pinctrl_single module is loaded: lsmod | grep pinctrl_single. Check kernel version against patched versions.

Check Version:

uname -r

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify kernel version includes one of the fix commits. Check dmesg for absence of related crashes.

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Kernel panic messages in dmesg or /var/log/kern.log
System crash/reboot events
NULL pointer dereference errors

Network Indicators:

None - local vulnerability

SIEM Query:

source="kernel" AND ("NULL pointer dereference" OR "kernel panic" OR "pinctrl")

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2024-46685

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: September 13, 2024

Last Updated: November 3, 2025

🔗 References

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🔗 Related Vulnerabilities

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