CVE-2024-42101 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 07/30/2024
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
drm/nouveau: fix null pointer dereference in nouveau_connector_get_modes
In nouveau_connector_get_modes(), the return value of drm_mode_duplicate() is assigned to mode, which will lead to a possible NULL pointer dereference on failure of drm_mode_duplicate(). Add a check to avoid npd.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/19/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-42101 represents a critical null pointer dereference flaw within the nouveau graphics driver component of the Linux kernel. This issue specifically affects the drm/nouveau subsystem which manages display output for NVIDIA graphics hardware through the open-source nouveau driver. The vulnerability manifests in the nouveau_connector_get_modes function where improper error handling leads to potential system crashes and denial of service conditions.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of function return values within the graphics mode enumeration process. When the drm_mode_duplicate() function fails to duplicate a display mode structure, it returns a NULL pointer to the mode variable. However, the nouveau_connector_get_modes function does not perform proper null checking before attempting to use this returned value, creating a scenario where subsequent operations on the NULL pointer result in immediate system termination. This type of flaw falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-476 which specifically addresses NULL pointer dereference vulnerabilities. The vulnerability directly impacts the kernel's graphics subsystem and can be exploited through normal graphics operations involving display mode detection and enumeration.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-42101 extends beyond simple system crashes to potentially compromise system stability and availability in environments relying on nouveau graphics drivers. When triggered, this vulnerability can cause the Linux kernel to panic and reboot automatically, disrupting ongoing graphical sessions and potentially affecting user applications that depend on display output. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to perform denial of service attacks against systems running affected kernel versions, particularly in server environments where continuous availability is critical. The flaw affects systems using NVIDIA graphics hardware with the nouveau driver, making it relevant across a wide range of computing environments from desktop systems to enterprise servers and cloud infrastructure. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 which covers network denial of service attacks and can contribute to broader system compromise scenarios.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-42101 focus primarily on applying the kernel patch that introduces proper null pointer validation before using the return value from drm_mode_duplicate(). System administrators should prioritize updating to kernel versions that include this fix, typically kernel versions 6.9 and later which contain the necessary code modifications. The patch implements a straightforward defensive programming approach by adding a conditional check to verify that the mode pointer is not NULL before proceeding with further operations. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring solutions to detect potential exploitation attempts and maintain regular kernel update schedules to ensure protection against similar vulnerabilities. Additionally, system administrators can temporarily disable nouveau graphics drivers in environments where display functionality is not critical, though this approach represents a workaround rather than a permanent solution. The fix demonstrates proper software engineering practices that align with security best practices outlined in the Linux kernel security guidelines and represents a standard defensive programming technique for preventing null pointer dereference conditions in kernel space code.