CVE-2024-56769 – This CVE describes an uninitialized memory vuln... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2024-56769?

CVE-2024-56769 has a CVSS score of 5.5 (MEDIUM). This CVE describes an uninitialized memory vulnerability in the Linux kernel's DVB frontend driver for dib3000mb devices. When i2c_transfer() fails, uninitialized buffer values can be read, potentially leaking kernel memory. Systems using DVB-T/T2/C/S/S2 tuners with dib3000mb chips are affected.

📋 TL;DR

This CVE describes an uninitialized memory vulnerability in the Linux kernel's DVB frontend driver for dib3000mb devices. When i2c_transfer() fails, uninitialized buffer values can be read, potentially leaking kernel memory. Systems using DVB-T/T2/C/S/S2 tuners with dib3000mb chips are affected.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Linux kernel with dib3000mb driver

Versions: Linux kernel versions before the fix commits listed in references

Operating Systems: Linux distributions using affected kernel versions

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Only affects systems with DVB tuners using dib3000mb chips. Most desktop/server systems are not affected unless they have specific DVB hardware.

📦 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...

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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 information disclosure leading to potential privilege escalation or system compromise if combined with other vulnerabilities.

🟠

Likely Case

Information disclosure of kernel memory contents, potentially exposing sensitive data or system state.

🟢

If Mitigated

Minimal impact with proper kernel hardening and memory protection mechanisms in place.

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW - DVB tuners are typically not internet-facing devices.

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Requires physical or local network access to DVB tuner hardware.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: MEDIUM

Requires access to DVB hardware and ability to trigger i2c_transfer failures. Exploitation would likely require local access or specialized hardware.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Kernel versions containing commits: 035772fcd631eee2756b31cb6df249c0a8d453d7, 1d6de21f00293d819b5ca6dbe75ff1f3b6392140, 2dd59fe0e19e1ab955259978082b62e5751924c7, 3876e3a1c31a58a352c6bf5d2a90e3304445a637, 53106510736e734ce8b731ba871363389bfbf4c9

Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/035772fcd631eee2756b31cb6df249c0a8d453d7

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Update Linux kernel to version containing the fix commits. 2. Reboot system to load new kernel. 3. Verify kernel version with 'uname -r'.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable dib3000mb module

linux

Prevent loading of vulnerable driver if DVB functionality is not needed

echo 'blacklist dib3000mb' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf
rmmod dib3000mb

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Disconnect or disable DVB tuner hardware
Implement strict access controls to prevent unauthorized physical or network access to DVB devices

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check if dib3000mb module is loaded: 'lsmod | grep dib3000mb'. Check kernel version against patched versions.

Check Version:

uname -r

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify kernel version is updated and dib3000mb module loads without errors in dmesg.

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Kernel oops or KMSAN warnings related to dib3000mb
DVB device initialization failures

Network Indicators:

Unusual DVB protocol traffic patterns

SIEM Query:

source="kernel" AND ("dib3000mb" OR "KMSAN" OR "uninit-value")

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2024-56769

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-908

EPSS Score: 0.01% exploit probability (1.8th percentile)

Published: January 6, 2025

Last Updated: November 3, 2025

🔗 References

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