CVE-2024-46835
📋 TL;DR
This CVE addresses a NULL pointer dereference vulnerability in the AMD GPU driver within the Linux kernel. If exploited, it could cause a kernel panic or system crash, affecting systems with AMD graphics hardware running vulnerable Linux kernel versions.
💻 Affected Systems
- Linux kernel with AMD GPU driver (drm/amdgpu)
📦 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
Kernel panic leading to system crash and denial of service, potentially causing data loss or system instability.
Likely Case
System crash or kernel panic requiring reboot, resulting in temporary denial of service.
If Mitigated
Minimal impact with proper kernel hardening and privilege separation in place.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires local access to trigger the NULL pointer dereference. No public exploit code identified in references.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Kernel versions containing the referenced git commits
Vendor Advisory: https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2025/01/msg00001.html
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to patched version via distribution package manager. 2. For Debian systems, apply security updates from Debian LTS advisory. 3. Reboot system to load new kernel.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable AMD GPU driver
linuxTemporarily disable amdgpu kernel module if AMD GPU is not essential
echo 'blacklist amdgpu' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf
update-initramfs -u
reboot
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict local user access to systems with AMD GPUs
- Implement kernel hardening features like kernel address space layout randomization (KASLR)
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check kernel version and if amdgpu module is loaded: 'uname -r' and 'lsmod | grep amdgpu'Check Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel version is updated beyond vulnerable commits and system remains stable during GPU operations📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel panic messages in /var/log/kern.log or dmesg
- NULL pointer dereference errors in kernel logs
Network Indicators:
- None - local vulnerability only
SIEM Query:
source="kernel" AND ("NULL pointer" OR "kernel panic" OR "amdgpu")🔗 References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/8bc7b3ce33e64c74211ed17aec823fc4e523426a
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/bdbdc7cecd00305dc844a361f9883d3a21022027
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/c2056c7a840f0dbf293bc3b0d91826d001668fb0
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/d40c2c3dd0395fe7fdc19bd96551e87251426d66
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2025/01/msg00001.html
