CVE-2024-49905 – This CVE describes a null pointer dereference v... (How to Fix)

📋 TL;DR

This CVE describes a null pointer dereference vulnerability in the AMD GPU display 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

Products:

Linux kernel with AMD GPU display driver (drm/amd/display)

Versions: Linux kernel versions containing the vulnerable code before the fix commits

Operating Systems: Linux distributions with AMD GPU support

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Requires AMD graphics hardware and the affected display driver module to be loaded.

📦 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 →

⚠️ 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 instability when specific cursor update operations are performed with AMD graphics hardware.

🟢

If Mitigated

Minor system instability that may require reboot, but no privilege escalation or data compromise.

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW - This is a local kernel vulnerability requiring local access or specific driver interaction.

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

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: MEDIUM

Exploitation requires local access and specific conditions to trigger the null pointer dereference in cursor update operations.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Linux kernel versions containing commit 75839e2365b666ff4e1b9047e442cab138eac4f6 or later

Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/75839e2365b666ff4e1b9047e442cab138eac4f6

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Update Linux kernel to version containing the fix commit
2. Rebuild kernel if compiling from source
3. Reboot system to load patched kernel

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable AMD GPU driver module

linux

Prevent loading of the vulnerable AMD display driver module

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 graphics hardware
Monitor system logs for kernel panic events related to display driver

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check kernel version and verify if AMD GPU driver is loaded: lsmod | grep amdgpu

Check Version:

uname -r

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify kernel version includes fix commit or check /proc/version for patched kernel version

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Kernel panic messages
System crash logs
AMD GPU driver error messages in dmesg

Network Indicators:

None - local vulnerability only

SIEM Query:

source="kernel" AND ("panic" OR "Oops" OR "amdgpu")

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2024-49905

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: October 21, 2024

Last Updated: November 3, 2025

🔗 References

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🔗 Related Vulnerabilities

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