CVE-2024-27408 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 05/17/2024
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
dmaengine: dw-edma: eDMA: Add sync read before starting the DMA transfer in remote setup
The Linked list element and pointer are not stored in the same memory as the eDMA controller register. If the doorbell register is toggled before the full write of the linked list a race condition error will occur. In remote setup we can only use a readl to the memory to assure the full write has occurred.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/19/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-27408 affects the Linux kernel's dmaengine subsystem, specifically within the dw-edma driver implementation for eDMA controllers. This issue manifests as a race condition that can compromise the integrity of DMA transfers in remote setup configurations. The flaw occurs when the doorbell register is toggled before the complete write operation of the linked list element, creating a timing window where memory operations may not have fully propagated to the eDMA controller registers. The vulnerability is particularly significant in embedded systems and automotive applications where DMA operations are critical for real-time data processing and system reliability.
The technical root cause stems from the architectural mismatch between the linked list elements and their associated pointers, which are stored in different memory regions from the eDMA controller registers. This memory separation creates a scenario where the doorbell register toggle operation may proceed before the complete memory write has been acknowledged by the controller. The race condition arises because the system does not guarantee that all memory writes to the linked list elements have been fully committed to the eDMA controller's register space before initiating the transfer. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-362, which describes concurrent execution issues that can lead to race conditions in multi-threaded environments, and is particularly relevant in the context of embedded systems where timing precision is critical for proper operation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption, potentially leading to system instability and security implications in environments where DMA operations are used for critical data processing. In automotive and industrial control systems, such race conditions could result in data loss during sensor data acquisition or communication failures in real-time systems. The vulnerability affects systems using the DesignWare eDMA controller implementation, which is commonly found in Qualcomm and other embedded processor platforms. Attackers could potentially exploit this condition to cause denial of service, data integrity issues, or in some cases, gain unauthorized access to system resources through carefully crafted DMA operations that leverage the timing window to manipulate system state.
The fix implemented for CVE-2024-27408 addresses the race condition by introducing a synchronization read operation before initiating DMA transfers in remote setup configurations. This approach leverages the readl operation on memory locations to ensure that all preceding write operations have been fully committed before proceeding with the transfer. The solution follows established best practices for memory ordering and synchronization in concurrent systems, ensuring that the full write of the linked list element has propagated to the eDMA controller registers. This remediation aligns with ATT&CK technique T1070.006, which covers the use of system binaries for persistence and privilege escalation, as the vulnerability could potentially be exploited to manipulate system memory operations. Organizations should prioritize patching systems using the dw-edma driver, particularly those in automotive, industrial, and embedded environments where DMA operations are critical for system functionality and security. The fix demonstrates the importance of proper memory ordering in kernel-level drivers and highlights the need for comprehensive testing of concurrent operations in embedded systems where timing sensitivity can lead to critical security vulnerabilities.