CVE-2024-26922 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 04/23/2024
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
drm/amdgpu: validate the parameters of bo mapping operations more clearly
Verify the parameters of amdgpu_vm_bo_(map/replace_map/clearing_mappings) in one common place.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/23/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-26922 affects the Linux kernel's amdgpu driver component, specifically within the direct rendering manager subsystem responsible for graphics processing unit memory management. This issue resides in the graphics memory mapping operations that handle buffer object (bo) management within the AMDGPU driver implementation. The vulnerability stems from insufficient parameter validation during critical memory mapping operations that occur when managing graphics memory resources. The affected functions include amdgpu_vm_bo_map, amdgpu_vm_bo_replace_map, and amdgpu_vm_bo_clearing_mappings, which are integral to the virtual memory management system that coordinates GPU memory allocation and mapping.
The technical flaw manifests as a lack of proper input validation within the kernel's graphics memory management subsystem. When these buffer object mapping operations are invoked, the driver fails to adequately validate the parameters passed to these functions before processing them. This absence of validation creates potential pathways for malformed or malicious inputs to cause unexpected behavior within the kernel's memory management routines. The vulnerability represents a classic case of insufficient parameter validation that could potentially lead to memory corruption, privilege escalation, or denial of service conditions. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-20: Improper Input Validation, which occurs when a system does not validate or incorrectly validates input data, leading to potential security consequences.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across systems utilizing AMDGPU graphics hardware, particularly those running Linux kernels that incorporate the affected driver code. Attackers could potentially exploit this weakness to manipulate memory mapping operations, potentially leading to privilege escalation from user-space applications to kernel-level privileges. The vulnerability affects systems where the amdgpu driver is actively managing graphics memory, including desktop systems, servers, and embedded platforms with AMD graphics processors. The consequences could range from denial of service conditions that disrupt graphics functionality to more severe exploitation scenarios that allow unauthorized access to kernel memory spaces. This vulnerability particularly impacts systems with graphics-intensive workloads where buffer object mapping operations occur frequently, making it a significant concern for both consumer and enterprise environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-26922 primarily involve applying the latest kernel updates that include the patched amdgpu driver code. The fix implements centralized parameter validation for the affected functions, ensuring that all input parameters are properly checked before any memory mapping operations proceed. System administrators should prioritize updating their Linux kernels to versions that contain the resolved vulnerability, particularly those running AMDGPU-enabled systems. Additionally, monitoring systems for unusual memory mapping behavior or potential exploitation attempts can provide early warning signs of attempted exploitation. The fix aligns with ATT&CK framework technique T1068: Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, as it addresses a potential pathway for attackers to elevate privileges through kernel memory management flaws. Organizations should also consider implementing kernel hardening measures such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and kernel module signing to provide additional defense-in-depth against potential exploitation attempts. Regular security audits of graphics driver components and kernel memory management subsystems should be conducted to identify similar validation gaps that could present similar security risks.