CVE-2024-36014 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 05/29/2024
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
drm/arm/malidp: fix a possible null pointer dereference
In malidp_mw_connector_reset, new memory is allocated with kzalloc, but no check is performed. In order to prevent null pointer dereferencing, ensure that mw_state is checked before calling __drm_atomic_helper_connector_reset.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/07/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-36014 represents a critical null pointer dereference flaw within the Linux kernel's display subsystem, specifically affecting the ARM Mali display driver implementation. This issue resides in the malidp_mw_connector_reset function which handles connector reset operations for Mali display processors. The vulnerability stems from inadequate memory allocation validation that can lead to system instability and potential security implications when the driver encounters unexpected conditions during connector state management.
The technical flaw manifests when the malidp_mw_connector_reset function employs kzalloc to allocate memory for middleware state structures without performing subsequent validation checks. This allocation pattern creates a scenario where the allocated memory pointer could be null, yet the code continues execution without proper error handling. When the function subsequently calls __drm_atomic_helper_connector_reset with an uninitialized or null mw_state pointer, the system experiences a null pointer dereference that can result in kernel panic or arbitrary code execution depending on the system's memory layout and execution context. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-476 category of Null Pointer Dereference, which is classified as a common weakness in software security practices.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system crashes to potentially enable privilege escalation attacks within the kernel space. An attacker who can manipulate display connector states or trigger the specific code path leading to this null pointer dereference could potentially exploit the vulnerability to gain elevated privileges or cause denial of service conditions. The flaw affects systems running Linux kernels with ARM Mali display drivers, particularly those implementing the drm/arm/malidp subsystem for display management. The vulnerability's exploitation requires specific conditions related to display connector state transitions and memory allocation failures, making it less trivial to exploit but still presenting a significant security risk for systems where display functionality is critical.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-36014 should prioritize applying the official kernel patches that implement proper null pointer validation after memory allocation. The fix involves adding explicit checks to verify that the memory allocation succeeded before proceeding with the connector reset operation. System administrators should also consider implementing runtime monitoring for kernel memory allocation failures and display driver anomalies. Additionally, maintaining up-to-date kernel versions and applying security patches promptly aligns with NIST SP 800-128 guidelines for kernel security management. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of defensive programming practices and proper error handling in kernel space code, particularly within graphics drivers where memory management and state transitions are complex operations that require rigorous validation to prevent security exploits. Organizations should also consider implementing kernel hardening measures such as stack canaries and kernel address space layout randomization to further reduce the exploitability of such vulnerabilities.