CVE-2024-56572 – A memory leak vulnerability exists in the Linux... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2024-56572?

CVE-2024-56572 has a CVSS score of 5.5 (MEDIUM). A memory leak vulnerability exists in the Linux kernel's allegro-dvt media platform driver. When the allocate_buffers_internal() function fails to allocate a buffer, it doesn't properly clean up previously allocated buffers, causing memory leaks. This affects systems using the allegro-dvt driver for video processing.

📋 TL;DR

A memory leak vulnerability exists in the Linux kernel's allegro-dvt media platform driver. When the allocate_buffers_internal() function fails to allocate a buffer, it doesn't properly clean up previously allocated buffers, causing memory leaks. This affects systems using the allegro-dvt driver for video processing.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Linux kernel with allegro-dvt driver

Versions: Linux kernel versions containing vulnerable allegro-dvt driver code

Operating Systems: Linux distributions with allegro-dvt driver enabled

Default Config Vulnerable: ✅ No

Notes: Only vulnerable if allegro-dvt driver is loaded/used; not all Linux systems have this driver enabled by default.

📦 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

Sustained exploitation could lead to kernel memory exhaustion, causing system instability, denial of service, or potential kernel crashes.

🟠

Likely Case

Gradual memory consumption over time leading to performance degradation and eventual system instability requiring reboots.

🟢

If Mitigated

Minimal impact with proper monitoring and memory limits in place; system remains functional but may experience performance issues.

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW - Requires local access or kernel module loading; not directly exploitable over network.

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Could affect systems using allegro-dvt hardware; requires local access or malicious kernel module.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: NO

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: MEDIUM

Requires ability to trigger the allocate_buffers_internal() function with specific failure conditions; local access or kernel module interaction needed.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Patched in stable kernel commits referenced in CVE

Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0f514068fbc5d4d189c817adc7c4e32cffdc2e47

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Update Linux kernel to version containing fixes from provided git commits. 2. Reboot system to load new kernel. 3. Verify allegro-dvt driver is updated.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable allegro-dvt driver

linux

Prevent loading of vulnerable kernel module

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

Limit memory allocation

linux

Set kernel memory limits to contain potential leaks

sysctl -w vm.overcommit_memory=2
sysctl -w vm.overcommit_ratio=50

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Monitor system memory usage and implement alerts for abnormal consumption
Restrict access to systems using allegro-dvt hardware to trusted users only

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check if allegro-dvt driver is loaded: lsmod | grep allegro_dvt

Check Version:

uname -r

Verify Fix Applied:

Check kernel version contains fix commits: uname -r and verify against patched versions

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Kernel oom-killer messages
System memory exhaustion warnings in syslog
Repeated allegro-dvt driver allocation failures

Network Indicators:

None - local vulnerability only

SIEM Query:

source="kernel" AND ("out of memory" OR "oom-killer" OR "allegro_dvt")

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2024-56572

CVSS v3 Score: 5.5 (MEDIUM)

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

CWE: CWE-401

Published: December 27, 2024

Last Updated: November 3, 2025

🔗 References

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🔗 Related Vulnerabilities

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