CVE-2024-42144 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 07/30/2024
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
thermal/drivers/mediatek/lvts_thermal: Check NULL ptr on lvts_data
Verify that lvts_data is not NULL before using it.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/19/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-42144 resides within the Linux kernel's thermal management subsystem, specifically in the Mediatek LVTS (Low Voltage Temperature Sensor) thermal driver implementation. This flaw represents a classic null pointer dereference issue that can lead to system instability and potential privilege escalation. The vulnerability affects systems utilizing Mediatek SoCs that implement the LVTS thermal sensor architecture, which is commonly found in mobile devices, embedded systems, and certain automotive applications where precise temperature monitoring is critical for system health and safety.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the thermal driver's data handling routines. The lvts_data pointer, which is expected to contain valid thermal sensor configuration and operational data, is not properly validated for null status before being dereferenced in critical code paths. This null pointer dereference occurs during the initialization or operational phases of the thermal management system, where the driver attempts to access memory locations through a pointer that has not been properly allocated or initialized. The flaw aligns with CWE-476, which specifically addresses null pointer dereference vulnerabilities in software systems. When the lvts_data pointer remains uninitialized or becomes corrupted during system operation, the kernel will attempt to access memory at address zero or an invalid location, resulting in immediate system termination through a segmentation fault or similar memory access violation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system crashes, potentially enabling malicious actors to exploit the kernel's memory management behavior for privilege escalation attacks. An attacker who can manipulate the thermal sensor initialization process or trigger specific thermal conditions might force the kernel into a null pointer dereference state, leading to system panic or reboot. In more sophisticated attack scenarios, this vulnerability could be leveraged to bypass kernel security mechanisms or to establish a foothold for further exploitation. The vulnerability affects the broader ATT&CK framework category of privilege escalation through kernel exploits, specifically aligning with techniques that target kernel memory corruption vulnerabilities. Systems running affected kernel versions are particularly vulnerable during thermal sensor initialization, hotplug events, or when thermal management policies are dynamically adjusted, making this a persistent threat in environments where thermal monitoring is actively utilized.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-42144 focus primarily on applying the official kernel patch that implements proper null pointer validation before lvts_data usage. System administrators should prioritize updating to kernel versions containing the fix, typically those released after the vulnerability disclosure date. Additionally, implementing runtime monitoring of thermal sensor operations can help detect anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The patch itself implements defensive programming practices that align with secure coding standards, ensuring that all pointer references are validated before memory access operations. Organizations should also consider implementing kernel lockdown features and restricting access to thermal management interfaces to minimize potential attack surfaces. Regular kernel updates and security audits remain essential for maintaining system integrity, particularly in critical infrastructure environments where thermal management systems play a vital role in preventing hardware damage and ensuring operational safety.