CVE-2024-50180 – This CVE describes a buffer overflow vulnerabil... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2024-50180?

CVE-2024-50180 has a CVSS score of 7.8 (HIGH). This CVE describes a buffer overflow vulnerability in the sisfb framebuffer driver in 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 using the sisfb driver with vulnerable kernel versions are affected.

📋 TL;DR

This CVE describes a buffer overflow vulnerability in the sisfb framebuffer driver in 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 using the sisfb driver with vulnerable kernel versions are affected.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Linux kernel with sisfb framebuffer driver

Versions: Specific vulnerable kernel versions referenced in the git commits (check individual commit hashes for exact ranges)

Operating Systems: Linux distributions using vulnerable kernel versions

Default Config Vulnerable: ✅ No

Notes: Only affects systems using the sisfb framebuffer driver (typically SiS graphics hardware). Most modern systems use other graphics 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 →

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 panic leading to system crash, or potential arbitrary code execution with kernel privileges resulting in complete system compromise.

🟠

Likely Case

Kernel panic causing system crash and denial of service, requiring physical or remote console access to reboot.

🟢

If Mitigated

System crash requiring reboot, but no privilege escalation if exploit is limited to denial of service.

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW - Requires local access or specific conditions to trigger the framebuffer driver.

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

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: MEDIUM

Requires local access to trigger the framebuffer driver. Exploitation would need to bypass kernel protections like KASLR and SMAP/SMEP.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Kernel versions containing the fix commits (11c0d49093b82f6c547fd419c41a982d26bdf5ef and others listed)

Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/11c0d49093b82f6c547fd419c41a982d26bdf5ef

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 sisfb module

linux

Prevent loading of the vulnerable framebuffer driver

echo 'blacklist sisfb' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf
rmmod sisfb

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Restrict local user access to systems with vulnerable kernel
Monitor system logs for kernel panic or oops messages

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check if sisfb module is loaded: lsmod | grep sisfb AND check kernel version against vulnerable ranges

Check Version:

uname -r

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify kernel version is updated AND sisfb module version shows patched code

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Kernel oops messages
System crash/panic logs in /var/log/messages or journalctl

Network Indicators:

None - local vulnerability

SIEM Query:

source="kernel" AND ("Oops" OR "panic" OR "general protection fault")

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2024-50180

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-787

Published: November 8, 2024

Last Updated: November 3, 2025

🔗 References

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🔗 Related Vulnerabilities

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