CVE-2023-52883 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 06/20/2024
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
drm/amdgpu: Fix possible null pointer dereference
abo->tbo.resource may be NULL in amdgpu_vm_bo_update.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/24/2025
The vulnerability CVE-2023-52883 represents a critical null pointer dereference issue within the Linux kernel's amdgpu driver component. This flaw exists in the drm/amdgpu subsystem which manages graphics processing units manufactured by AMD. The vulnerability manifests when the function amdgpu_vm_bo_update attempts to access the tbo.resource field of an abo structure without first validating whether this resource pointer is properly initialized. This particular weakness falls under the category of improper null pointer dereference as classified by CWE-476, where a program attempts to access a memory location through a pointer that has not been properly validated for null values.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs within the virtual memory management subsystem of the AMD GPU driver. When the amdgpu_vm_bo_update function processes graphics buffer objects, it assumes that the abo->tbo.resource field will always contain a valid reference to a resource structure. However, under certain conditions involving buffer object management and memory allocation scenarios, this resource pointer can legitimately be set to NULL. The absence of proper null checking before dereferencing this pointer causes the kernel to attempt accessing invalid memory addresses, resulting in a kernel panic or system crash that can lead to denial of service conditions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system instability, as it represents a potential attack vector for privilege escalation or system compromise. When exploited, this null pointer dereference can cause the entire graphics subsystem to crash, potentially leading to complete system lockups or forced reboots. The vulnerability affects systems running Linux kernels with AMD GPU support, particularly those utilizing the amdgpu driver for graphics processing. Given that AMD GPUs are commonly found in both consumer and enterprise computing environments, this flaw could impact a wide range of devices including desktop computers, servers, and embedded systems. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under the T1499.004 technique for "Network Denial of Service" as it can cause system unavailability through kernel-level crashes.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-52883 primarily involve applying the patched kernel version that resolves the null pointer dereference issue. System administrators should immediately update their Linux distributions to versions containing the fix for this vulnerability. The patch implements proper null pointer validation before accessing the abo->tbo.resource field, ensuring that the driver gracefully handles cases where resource pointers may be uninitialized. Additionally, organizations should implement monitoring solutions to detect potential exploitation attempts and maintain regular kernel update schedules to prevent similar vulnerabilities from accumulating in their systems. The fix aligns with security best practices outlined in the Common Vulnerability Scoring System and represents a fundamental defensive measure against kernel-level exploitation attempts targeting graphics processing unit drivers.