CVE-2024-38552 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 06/19/2024
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
drm/amd/display: Fix potential index out of bounds in color transformation function
Fixes index out of bounds issue in the color transformation function. The issue could occur when the index 'i' exceeds the number of transfer function points (TRANSFER_FUNC_POINTS).
The fix adds a check to ensure 'i' is within bounds before accessing the transfer function points. If 'i' is out of bounds, an error message is logged and the function returns false to indicate an error.
Reported by smatch: drivers/gpu/drm/amd/amdgpu/../display/dc/dcn10/dcn10_cm_common.c:405 cm_helper_translate_curve_to_hw_format() error: buffer overflow 'output_tf->tf_pts.red' 1025 <= s32max drivers/gpu/drm/amd/amdgpu/../display/dc/dcn10/dcn10_cm_common.c:406 cm_helper_translate_curve_to_hw_format() error: buffer overflow 'output_tf->tf_pts.green' 1025 <= s32max drivers/gpu/drm/amd/amdgpu/../display/dc/dcn10/dcn10_cm_common.c:407 cm_helper_translate_curve_to_hw_format() error: buffer overflow 'output_tf->tf_pts.blue' 1025 <= s32max
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/04/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-38552 resides within the Linux kernel's AMD display driver component, specifically in the color transformation functionality of the display controller. This flaw represents a classic buffer overflow condition that could potentially be exploited to disrupt system operations or escalate privileges. The issue manifests in the dcn10_cm_common.c file where the cm_helper_translate_curve_to_hw_format() function processes color transfer function points without proper bounds validation. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it affects the graphics subsystem which is integral to system operation and user interaction.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the color transformation pipeline. The function processes color curve data where an index variable 'i' is used to access transfer function points stored in arrays. However, the code fails to verify that this index remains within the valid range of array bounds, specifically when the index exceeds TRANSFER_FUNC_POINTS limit. The smatch static analysis tool identified this as a buffer overflow condition where the arrays output_tf->tf_pts.red, output_tf->tf_pts.green, and output_tf->tf_pts.blue could be accessed at positions beyond their allocated memory boundaries. The maximum array size is constrained to 1025 elements while the index variable could potentially exceed this boundary, creating a direct path for memory corruption.
This vulnerability impacts the operational integrity of AMD graphics hardware within Linux environments, particularly affecting systems utilizing the DCN10 display controller architecture. The potential consequences extend beyond simple functionality degradation to include system instability, display corruption, or in severe cases, privilege escalation. The error handling mechanism in the patched version attempts to mitigate the impact by logging error messages and returning false when out-of-bounds access is detected, but the underlying flaw remains exploitable before the fix is applied. This issue falls under CWE-129 Input Validation and CWE-787 Out-of-bounds Write, both of which are critical in the context of kernel-level vulnerabilities.
The mitigation strategy for this vulnerability involves applying the kernel patch that introduces proper bounds checking before array access operations. The fix implements a conditional check to ensure that the index variable 'i' does not exceed the valid array bounds before accessing the transfer function points. This approach aligns with the ATT&CK framework's defense evasion techniques by preventing unauthorized memory access patterns that could be leveraged by malicious actors. System administrators should prioritize updating their Linux kernel versions to include this patch, particularly in environments where graphics processing is critical. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust input validation in kernel drivers and highlights the need for comprehensive static analysis tools in identifying potential security flaws before they can be exploited in production environments.