CVE-2024-21976 in Ryzen AI Software
Summary
by MITRE • 11/12/2024
Improper input validation in the NPU driver could allow an attacker to supply a specially crafted pointer potentially leading to arbitrary code execution.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/27/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-21976 resides within the Neural Processing Unit NPU driver component, representing a critical security flaw that undermines the integrity of hardware-accelerated neural processing systems. This issue manifests through insufficient input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize or verify user-supplied data before processing. The NPU driver serves as a crucial interface between software applications and dedicated neural processing hardware, making it a prime target for exploitation given its privileged execution context and direct hardware access capabilities. The vulnerability specifically affects the driver's handling of pointer inputs, which are fundamental elements in memory management and system operation.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate validation of pointer parameters passed to the NPU driver during neural processing operations. When an attacker provides a malformed or specially crafted pointer value, the driver fails to properly validate this input before dereferencing or utilizing it in memory operations. This improper validation creates a pathway for memory corruption that can be exploited to gain arbitrary code execution privileges within the driver's execution context. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of memory safety and privilege escalation, where a single malformed input can compromise the entire system's security posture. According to CWE classification, this represents a variant of CWE-129 Improper Validation of Array Index, though specifically manifesting in pointer handling within driver-level code. The flaw essentially allows an attacker to manipulate the driver's memory access patterns through crafted inputs, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-21976 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary code within the NPU driver's trusted execution environment. This presents a significant risk to systems utilizing neural processing units, particularly those deployed in edge computing scenarios where hardware acceleration is critical for performance and security. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to install persistent backdoors, modify system memory, or escalate privileges to full system administrator access. The implications are particularly severe in environments where the NPU driver operates with elevated privileges, as the exploitation could lead to complete system takeover without requiring additional attack vectors. The vulnerability affects systems where neural processing is enabled, potentially including smartphones, IoT devices, automotive systems, and edge servers that rely on dedicated NPU hardware for machine learning workloads. This threat model aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 Command and Scripting Interpreter, as exploitation could involve executing malicious code through driver interfaces.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-21976 should prioritize immediate patch deployment from the vendor, as this vulnerability represents a critical risk requiring urgent attention. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to systems containing vulnerable NPU drivers, particularly in environments where these systems are exposed to untrusted networks or users. Input validation controls should be strengthened at multiple layers, including application-level sanitization of pointer inputs and runtime monitoring for anomalous memory access patterns. System administrators should consider disabling NPU functionality when not required, reducing the attack surface for potential exploitation. Additionally, implementing memory protection mechanisms such as address space layout randomization and data execution prevention can provide additional defense-in-depth measures. Regular security assessments should include verification of driver integrity and monitoring for unauthorized modifications to the NPU driver components. The vulnerability highlights the importance of robust input validation in kernel-mode drivers, emphasizing that security controls must be implemented at every level of system operation to prevent exploitation of such critical flaws.