CVE-2024-49969 – This CVE describes a buffer overflow vulnerabil... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2024-49969?

CVE-2024-49969 has a CVSS score of 7.8 (HIGH). This CVE describes a buffer overflow vulnerability in the AMD display driver within the Linux kernel. An attacker could exploit this to cause a kernel crash (denial of service) or potentially execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. Systems running affected Linux kernel versions with AMD graphics hardware are vulnerable.

📋 TL;DR

This CVE describes a buffer overflow vulnerability in the AMD display driver within the Linux kernel. An attacker could exploit this to cause a kernel crash (denial of service) or potentially execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. Systems running affected Linux kernel versions with AMD graphics hardware are vulnerable.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

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

Versions: Linux kernel versions containing the vulnerable DCN30 color management code before the fix commits

Operating Systems: Linux distributions with affected kernel versions

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Requires AMD GPU hardware with DCN30 display controller support. Systems without AMD graphics or with different display controllers are not affected.

📦 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 →

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 memory corruption leading to arbitrary code execution with kernel privileges, potentially resulting in full system compromise.

🟠

Likely Case

Kernel panic or system crash causing denial of service, requiring a reboot to restore functionality.

🟢

If Mitigated

System remains stable with no impact if the vulnerable code path isn't triggered or if proper bounds checking prevents exploitation.

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW - This vulnerability requires local access or ability to trigger specific display operations.

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Local attackers or malicious users could exploit this to crash systems or potentially escalate privileges.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: MEDIUM

Exploitation requires triggering specific color transformation operations, likely requiring local access and ability to manipulate display settings.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Linux kernel versions containing commits 0f1e222a4b41d77c442901d166fbdca967af0d86 or other listed fix commits

Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0f1e222a4b41d77c442901d166fbdca967af0d86

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Update Linux kernel to version containing the fix commits. 2. For distributions: Use package manager (apt/yum/dnf) to update kernel package. 3. Reboot system to load new 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 vulnerable kernels
Implement strict privilege separation to limit impact of potential local exploitation

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check kernel version and if AMD GPU driver is loaded: 'uname -r' and 'lsmod | grep amdgpu'

Check Version:

uname -r

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify kernel version includes fix commits: 'git log --oneline | grep -E "0f1e222a4b41d77c442901d166fbdca967af0d86|578422ddae3d13362b64e77ef9bab98780641631"'

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Kernel oops messages
System crash/panic logs
AMD GPU driver error messages

Network Indicators:

None - local vulnerability

SIEM Query:

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

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2024-49969

CVSS v3 Score: 7.8 (HIGH)

CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CWE: CWE-129

Published: October 21, 2024

Last Updated: November 3, 2025

🔗 References

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🔗 Related Vulnerabilities

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