CVE-2024-43902 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 08/26/2024
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
drm/amd/display: Add null checker before passing variables
Checks null pointer before passing variables to functions.
This fixes 3 NULL_RETURNS issues reported by Coverity.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/28/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-43902 resides within the Linux kernel's graphics subsystem, specifically within the amd display driver component known as drm/amd/display. This issue represents a classic null pointer dereference vulnerability that could potentially lead to system instability or privilege escalation. The vulnerability manifests in the display driver's handling of variable passing to functions without proper null pointer validation, creating a potential attack surface for malicious actors seeking to exploit kernel-level weaknesses.
The technical flaw in question involves the absence of null pointer checks before function parameter passing within the AMD display driver implementation. This pattern of insufficient input validation creates conditions where a null pointer could be passed to functions that do not handle such cases gracefully, resulting in undefined behavior or system crashes. The vulnerability was identified through static analysis by Coverity, which reported three instances of NULL_RETURN issues, indicating that the driver code fails to validate pointer integrity before function invocation. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-476 category of NULL Pointer Dereference, which is a fundamental security weakness in software development practices.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system crashes to potentially enable more sophisticated attack vectors. When null pointers are not properly checked before function calls, the system may experience unexpected behavior that could be exploited to gain unauthorized access to kernel memory or manipulate system operations. In the context of graphics drivers, this could allow attackers to compromise the display subsystem and potentially escalate privileges to kernel level. The vulnerability affects systems running Linux kernels with AMD graphics hardware, particularly those utilizing the display driver component that processes graphics data and manages display outputs. This represents a significant concern for enterprise environments and systems where graphics processing is critical to operations, as it could enable attackers to disrupt services or establish persistent access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-43902 should focus on applying the appropriate kernel security patches that implement the required null pointer checks before variable passing. System administrators should prioritize updating their Linux kernel versions to include the fixed drm/amd/display driver code that incorporates proper null validation mechanisms. The fix addresses the specific NULL_RETURN issues by adding necessary null pointer checks before passing variables to functions, aligning with best practices recommended by the ATT&CK framework for kernel-level security hardening. Organizations should also implement monitoring solutions to detect potential exploitation attempts targeting this vulnerability, particularly in environments with AMD graphics hardware where the affected driver components are actively utilized. Regular kernel updates and security assessments remain crucial for maintaining system integrity against similar vulnerabilities that may arise from insufficient input validation in kernel modules.