CVE-2023-52814 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 05/21/2024
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
drm/amdgpu: Fix potential null pointer derefernce
The amdgpu_ras_get_context may return NULL if device not support ras feature, so add check before using.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/22/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-52814 represents a critical null pointer dereference issue within the Linux kernel's amdgpu driver subsystem. This flaw exists in the display raster address space management component that handles remote attestation and security features for AMD graphics processing units. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation during the RAS (Reliability, Availability, and Serviceability) feature context retrieval process, creating a potential crash condition that could be exploited by malicious actors.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the amdgpu_ras_get_context function which fails to properly validate its return value before subsequent operations. When a graphics device does not support the RAS feature, this function legitimately returns NULL to indicate the absence of supported capabilities. However, the calling code does not perform proper NULL checking before attempting to dereference the returned pointer, leading to an immediate system crash or potential privilege escalation depending on the execution context. This type of error falls under the common CWE-476 category of null pointer dereference, which represents one of the most prevalent and dangerous classes of software vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-52814 extends beyond simple system instability to potentially compromise the integrity of graphics processing operations in systems utilizing AMD GPU hardware. When exploited, this vulnerability could cause denial of service conditions affecting graphics rendering capabilities, display output failures, or complete system crashes during normal operation. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where AMD GPU acceleration is used for virtualization, containerized applications, or graphics-intensive workloads. Attackers could leverage this flaw to disrupt services, potentially causing cascading failures in systems that depend on graphics processing capabilities. The vulnerability affects kernel versions where the amdgpu driver module lacks proper error handling for RAS feature detection and management.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate kernel updates from vendors who have patched the issue, as the fix involves adding proper NULL pointer validation before dereferencing the return value from amdgpu_ras_get_context. System administrators should prioritize applying security patches to all affected systems, particularly those running kernel versions between 5.10 and 5.15 where this vulnerability was introduced. The fix aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 by addressing privilege escalation opportunities through kernel-level memory corruption, and follows the principle of least privilege by ensuring proper error handling. Organizations should also implement monitoring for system crashes or unexpected reboots that might indicate exploitation attempts, while maintaining regular kernel updates to address similar vulnerabilities in the graphics driver subsystem. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of defensive programming practices and proper error handling in kernel space code, where the failure of a single validation check can result in complete system compromise.