CVE-2024-53084
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a memory leak vulnerability in the Imagination GPU driver for Linux kernel. When the driver closes, a reference loop between GPU objects prevents proper cleanup, causing kernel memory exhaustion over time. This affects systems using Imagination GPU hardware with the affected driver.
💻 Affected Systems
- Linux kernel with Imagination GPU driver (drm/imagination)
📦 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
Sustained exploitation could lead to kernel memory exhaustion, causing system instability, denial of service, or kernel panic.
Likely Case
Gradual memory leak during normal GPU operations, potentially causing performance degradation or system crashes after extended uptime.
If Mitigated
Minimal impact with proper monitoring and restart policies in place.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires ability to trigger GPU operations and driver close events. No known active exploitation.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Linux kernel with commits b04ce1e718bd55302b52d05d6873e233cb3ec7a1 or cb86db12b290ed07d05df00d99fa150bb123e80e
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/b04ce1e718bd55302b52d05d6873e233cb3ec7a1
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to version containing the fix commits. 2. Reboot system to load patched kernel. 3. Verify driver is properly loaded.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Imagination GPU driver
linuxPrevent loading of vulnerable driver module
echo 'blacklist pvr' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf
rmmod pvr
Regular system restarts
allMitigate memory leak accumulation by restarting systems periodically
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement system monitoring for memory exhaustion and kernel OOM events
- Restrict GPU access to trusted users only and monitor for abnormal GPU usage patterns
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if Imagination GPU driver is loaded: lsmod | grep pvr AND check kernel version against patched commitsCheck Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel includes fix commits: git log --oneline | grep -E 'b04ce1e718bd|cb86db12b290'📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel OOM messages
- Memory allocation failures in dmesg
- GPU driver error messages
SIEM Query:
source="kernel" AND ("Out of memory" OR "oom" OR "pvr" OR "drm/imagination")