CVE-2024-49942
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a NULL pointer dereference vulnerability in the Linux kernel's Xe graphics driver. When the xe_migrate_copy function attempts to copy from a null source resource, it triggers a kernel crash. This affects systems running vulnerable Linux kernel versions with the Xe driver enabled.
💻 Affected Systems
- Linux kernel with Xe graphics 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
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 specific graphics operations are performed with null resources.
If Mitigated
No impact if the system is patched or doesn't use the affected Xe driver functionality.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires triggering specific graphics driver operations with null resources. No public exploits known.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Fixed in kernel commits: 16e0267db156f8a4ea16bfb3ac3f5743c9698df3, 7257d9c9a3c6cfe26c428e9b7ae21d61f2f55a79, 8f5199b6971f0717c2d31685953971fa2e1b9e1a
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/16e0267db156f8a4ea16bfb3ac3f5743c9698df3
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to version containing the fix commits. 2. Reboot system. 3. Verify kernel version after reboot.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Xe driver
linuxRemove or blacklist the Xe graphics driver module
echo 'blacklist xe' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf
rmmod xe
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict local user access to systems with vulnerable kernels
- Monitor for kernel panic events and system crashes
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if system is using a vulnerable kernel version with Xe driver: 'uname -r' and check if Xe module is loaded: 'lsmod | grep xe'Check Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel version is updated and check kernel logs for absence of xe_migrate_copy related crashes📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel panic messages
- NULL pointer dereference errors in dmesg
- xe_migrate_copy function in crash logs
Network Indicators:
- None - local vulnerability only
SIEM Query:
source="kernel" AND ("NULL pointer dereference" OR "xe_migrate_copy" OR "kernel panic")