CVE-2025-0427
📋 TL;DR
A Use After Free vulnerability in Arm GPU kernel drivers allows local non-privileged users to access freed memory through GPU processing operations. This affects multiple Arm GPU architectures (Bifrost, Valhall, 5th Gen) across specific driver versions. Attackers could potentially escalate privileges or cause system instability.
💻 Affected Systems
- Arm Ltd Bifrost GPU Kernel Driver
- Arm Ltd Valhall GPU Kernel Driver
- Arm Ltd Arm 5th Gen GPU Architecture Kernel Driver
📦 What is this software?
5th Gen Gpu Architecture Kernel Driver by Arm
View all CVEs affecting 5th Gen Gpu Architecture Kernel Driver →
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Local privilege escalation to kernel-level access, allowing full system compromise, data theft, or persistent malware installation.
Likely Case
Local privilege escalation enabling unauthorized access to sensitive data or system resources, potentially leading to lateral movement.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper access controls and isolation prevent local user execution, though system instability may still occur.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires understanding of GPU memory management and driver internals. Local access needed.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Check Arm advisory for specific fixed versions beyond affected ranges
Vendor Advisory: https://developer.arm.com/documentation/110465/latest/
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Review Arm advisory for fixed driver versions. 2. Update GPU kernel drivers to patched versions. 3. Reboot system to load new drivers. 4. Verify driver version post-update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict GPU access
linuxLimit non-privileged user access to GPU processing capabilities
# Use device permissions or cgroups to restrict GPU device access
# Example: chmod 600 /dev/mali0
# Configure appropriate cgroup policies for GPU devices
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict access controls to prevent local users from executing GPU operations
- Isolate systems with vulnerable drivers from untrusted users and network segments
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check GPU driver version against affected ranges: cat /sys/class/misc/mali0/device/driver/version or similar driver version fileCheck Version:
cat /sys/class/misc/mali0/device/driver/version 2>/dev/null || dmesg | grep -i maliVerify Fix Applied:
Verify driver version is outside affected ranges after update📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel oops or panic messages related to GPU driver
- Unusual GPU memory allocation patterns
- Failed GPU operations with memory access errors
Network Indicators:
- None - local exploitation only
SIEM Query:
source="kernel" AND ("mali" OR "gpu") AND ("panic" OR "oops" OR "use after free")