CVE-2024-46716
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's Altera MSGDMA driver where DMA descriptors are not properly freed during cleanup operations. This could allow local attackers to cause memory corruption, potentially leading to system crashes or privilege escalation. Systems using the affected Altera MSGDMA driver in the Linux kernel are vulnerable.
💻 Affected Systems
- Linux kernel with Altera MSGDMA 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 →⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Local privilege escalation to kernel-level access, system crash leading to denial of service, or memory corruption enabling arbitrary code execution.
Likely Case
System instability, kernel panics, or denial of service through resource exhaustion from memory leaks.
If Mitigated
Minimal impact with proper kernel hardening, SELinux/AppArmor policies, and restricted user access to DMA operations.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires local access and knowledge of kernel memory management. No public exploits are currently known.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Linux kernel with commits 20bf2920a869f9dbda0ef8c94c87d1901a64a716, 54e4ada1a4206f878e345ae01cf37347d803d1b1, a3480e59fdbe5585d2d1eff0bed7671583acf725, or db67686676c7becc1910bf1d6d51505876821863
Vendor Advisory: https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2025/01/msg00001.html
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to version containing the fix commits. 2. For Debian systems, apply security updates via 'apt update && apt upgrade'. 3. Reboot system to load patched kernel.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Altera MSGDMA driver
linuxPrevent loading of the vulnerable driver module
echo 'blacklist altera_msgdma' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf
rmmod altera_msgdma
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict local user access to systems using kernel module loading restrictions
- Implement strict SELinux/AppArmor policies to limit DMA operations
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if Altera MSGDMA driver is loaded: 'lsmod | grep altera_msgdma' and verify kernel version is before fix commitsCheck Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel version includes fix commits and 'lsmod | grep altera_msgdma' shows no active vulnerabilities📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel panic logs
- OOM killer messages
- DMA-related error messages in dmesg
Network Indicators:
- None - this is a local vulnerability
SIEM Query:
Search for: 'kernel: panic', 'kernel: BUG', 'DMA' errors in system logs🔗 References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/20bf2920a869f9dbda0ef8c94c87d1901a64a716
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/54e4ada1a4206f878e345ae01cf37347d803d1b1
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/a3480e59fdbe5585d2d1eff0bed7671583acf725
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/db67686676c7becc1910bf1d6d51505876821863
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2025/01/msg00001.html
