CVE-2024-49917
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a null pointer dereference vulnerability in the AMD display driver within the Linux kernel. If exploited, it could cause a kernel panic or system crash, affecting systems running vulnerable Linux kernel versions with AMD graphics hardware. The vulnerability requires local access to trigger.
💻 Affected Systems
- Linux kernel with AMD GPU drivers
📦 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 →⚠️ 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 when the vulnerable code path is triggered during display initialization, resulting in temporary denial of service.
If Mitigated
Minor system instability or crash requiring reboot if triggered by privileged user or specific hardware configuration.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires local access and specific conditions to trigger the null pointer dereference. Likely requires privileged access or specific hardware interactions.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Kernel versions containing commits: 205e3b96cc9aa9211fd2c849a16245cf236b2d36, 23cb6139543580dc36743586ca86fbb3f7ab2c9d, 5443c83eb8fd2f88c71ced38848fbf744d6206a2, 56c326577971adc3a230f29dfd3aa3abdd505f5d, cba7fec864172dadd953daefdd26e01742b71a6a
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/205e3b96cc9aa9211fd2c849a16245cf236b2d36
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to patched version. 2. Check distribution-specific security advisories. 3. Reboot system after kernel update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict local access
linuxLimit local user access to systems with vulnerable kernels
Disable AMD GPU features
linuxPotentially avoid vulnerable code path by disabling specific AMD display features
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict access controls to limit local user privileges
- Monitor system logs for kernel panic events and investigate root causes
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check kernel version and verify if it contains the vulnerable dcn30_init_hw function without null checksCheck Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel version includes one of the fix commits or check if the null pointer checks are present in the dcn30_hwseq.c file📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel panic messages
- System crash logs
- AMD GPU driver error messages
SIEM Query:
Search for kernel panic events or system crash logs related to AMD display drivers🔗 References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/205e3b96cc9aa9211fd2c849a16245cf236b2d36
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/23cb6139543580dc36743586ca86fbb3f7ab2c9d
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/5443c83eb8fd2f88c71ced38848fbf744d6206a2
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/56c326577971adc3a230f29dfd3aa3abdd505f5d
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/cba7fec864172dadd953daefdd26e01742b71a6a
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2025/03/msg00001.html
