CVE-2024-56778 – This CVE involves a Linux kernel vulnerability ... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2024-56778?

CVE-2024-56778 has a CVSS score of 5.5 (MEDIUM). This CVE involves a Linux kernel vulnerability in the STI DRM driver where the drm_atomic_get_crtc_state() function's return value isn't properly checked before use. This could allow an attacker to trigger a kernel panic or system crash by exploiting the error pointer dereference. Systems using affected Linux kernel versions with STI DRM driver enabled are vulnerable.

📋 TL;DR

This CVE involves a Linux kernel vulnerability in the STI DRM driver where the drm_atomic_get_crtc_state() function's return value isn't properly checked before use. This could allow an attacker to trigger a kernel panic or system crash by exploiting the error pointer dereference. Systems using affected Linux kernel versions with STI DRM driver enabled are vulnerable.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Linux kernel

Versions: Specific affected kernel versions not specified in CVE, but patches exist in stable kernel trees. Likely affects versions before the fix commits.

Operating Systems: Linux distributions using affected kernel versions

Default Config Vulnerable: ✅ No

Notes: Only vulnerable if the STI DRM driver (drm/sti) is compiled and loaded. Many distributions may not enable this driver 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 →

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Kernel panic leading to denial of service, potentially causing system instability or crashes that require physical intervention to restore service.

🟠

Likely Case

Local denial of service through kernel panic when specific graphics operations are performed, requiring system reboot to recover.

🟢

If Mitigated

No impact if the vulnerable driver is not loaded or if the system is patched.

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW - This is a local kernel vulnerability requiring local access or ability to execute code on the system.

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Could be exploited by malicious local users or through privilege escalation chains to cause denial of service.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: MEDIUM

Requires local access and ability to trigger the vulnerable code path through graphics operations. Likely requires user interaction or specific application behavior.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Patched in stable kernel commits: 31c857e7496d34e5a32a6f75bc024d0b06fd646a, 6b0d0d6e9d3c26697230bf7dc9e6b52bdb24086f, 82a5312f874fb18f045d9658e9bd290e3b0621c0, 837eb99ad3340c7a9febf454f41c8e3edb68ac1e, c1ab40a1fdfee732c7e6ff2fb8253760293e47e8

Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/31c857e7496d34e5a32a6f75bc024d0b06fd646a

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 patched kernel.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable STI DRM driver

linux

Prevent loading of the vulnerable driver module

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

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Restrict local user access to systems where STI DRM driver is required
Implement strict privilege separation and limit user ability to perform graphics operations

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check if STI DRM driver is loaded: lsmod | grep sti. If loaded and kernel version is before fix commits, system is vulnerable.

Check Version:

uname -r

Verify Fix Applied:

Check kernel version includes fix commits: uname -r and verify against distribution's patched kernel version. Confirm STI driver still functions properly.

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Kernel panic messages in /var/log/kern.log or dmesg
System crash/reboot events without clear cause

Network Indicators:

None - local vulnerability only

SIEM Query:

source="kernel" AND ("panic" OR "Oops" OR "BUG") AND process="sti_hqvdp"

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2024-56778

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-754

EPSS Score: 0.05% exploit probability (14.4th percentile)

Published: January 8, 2025

Last Updated: November 3, 2025

🔗 References

📤 Share & Export

📄 Export Markdown 📋 Export JSON

🔗 Related Vulnerabilities

If you're affected by CVE-2024-56778, you might also want to check these: