CVE-2024-26699 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 04/03/2024
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
drm/amd/display: Fix array-index-out-of-bounds in dcn35_clkmgr
[Why]
There is a potential memory access violation while iterating through array of dcn35 clks.
[How]
Limit iteration per array size.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/03/2025
The vulnerability CVE-2024-26699 represents a critical array index out-of-bounds access flaw within the Linux kernel's display subsystem, specifically affecting the AMD display driver component. This issue manifests in the dcn35_clkmgr module which manages clock management for AMD display controllers. The flaw occurs during iteration through an array of display clocks, where insufficient bounds checking allows for potential memory access violations that could compromise system stability and security. Such vulnerabilities in kernel-level display drivers pose significant risks as they can be exploited to cause system crashes, data corruption, or potentially enable privilege escalation attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate array boundary validation within the dcn35_clkmgr function responsible for managing display clock configurations in AMD graphics hardware. When the driver iterates through an array of display clocks, the loop does not properly verify that the iteration index remains within the valid array boundaries, creating a scenario where the code may attempt to access memory locations beyond the allocated array space. This type of flaw falls under the CWE-129 vulnerability category, which specifically addresses improper validation of array indices, and represents a classic example of buffer overread conditions that can lead to unpredictable behavior and system instability. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it exists within the graphics driver subsystem where memory corruption could lead to privilege escalation or denial of service conditions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system crashes, potentially enabling attackers to exploit the memory access violation for more sophisticated attacks. An attacker with local access could leverage this flaw to cause system instability, leading to denial of service conditions that would affect graphics rendering and display functionality. In some scenarios, such memory corruption vulnerabilities could potentially be chained with other exploits to achieve privilege escalation, especially if the graphics driver operates with elevated privileges. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically within the context of kernel-level exploits where improper input validation leads to memory corruption. This flaw affects systems running Linux kernels with AMD graphics hardware and could impact desktop systems, servers, and embedded devices that rely on AMD display controllers.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-26699 focus primarily on applying the kernel patches that implement proper array boundary checking and iteration limits. System administrators should prioritize updating their Linux kernels to versions that include the fix for this vulnerability, which typically involves implementing bounds checking mechanisms that validate the iteration index against the actual array size before accessing array elements. The fix requires limiting the iteration to the actual array size, ensuring that the loop terminates before reaching invalid memory locations. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing monitoring solutions to detect anomalous behavior in graphics driver operations, as well as maintaining up-to-date security patches for all system components. Regular vulnerability assessments and kernel security audits should be conducted to identify and remediate similar issues within the graphics driver stack, as these types of memory safety vulnerabilities can often indicate broader issues within kernel subsystems that may require additional security hardening measures.