CVE-2024-46723 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 09/18/2024
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
drm/amdgpu: fix ucode out-of-bounds read warning
Clear warning that read ucode[] may out-of-bounds.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/05/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-46723 resides within the Linux kernel's graphics driver subsystem, specifically affecting the amdgpu driver component responsible for managing AMD graphics processing units. This issue manifests as an out-of-bounds read condition that occurs during the handling of firmware microcode updates for AMD GPU hardware. The flaw represents a critical security concern within the graphics driver stack, as it could potentially allow malicious actors to exploit memory access violations that might lead to system instability or unauthorized code execution.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking within the microcode loading mechanism of the amdgpu driver. When the driver attempts to read microcode data from the ucode[] array, it fails to properly validate array boundaries before accessing memory locations. This oversight creates a scenario where the driver could attempt to read memory beyond the allocated array limits, resulting in unpredictable behavior and potential information disclosure. The warning message indicating the out-of-bounds read condition suggests that the kernel's memory management subsystem detected this violation but did not prevent it from occurring, potentially allowing the read operation to proceed with invalid memory addresses.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to systems running affected Linux kernels with AMD GPU hardware. The out-of-bounds read condition could be exploited by attackers to gain unauthorized access to kernel memory spaces, potentially leading to privilege escalation or system compromise. While the immediate impact may not be catastrophic, the vulnerability creates an attack surface that could be leveraged in combination with other exploits to achieve more severe outcomes. Systems utilizing AMD graphics hardware in server environments, particularly those handling sensitive data or running multiple virtualized workloads, face elevated risk from this vulnerability.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2024-46723 involves applying the latest kernel security patches that address the bounds checking issue in the amdgpu driver's microcode handling routine. System administrators should prioritize updating their Linux kernel versions to include the fix that properly validates array boundaries before memory access operations. Additionally, monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual memory access patterns or kernel warnings related to graphics driver operations. Organizations should also consider implementing runtime protections such as kernel address space layout randomization and stack canaries to reduce the effectiveness of potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of array indices, and may contribute to techniques described in the ATT&CK framework under privilege escalation and defense evasion tactics.
The resolution of this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of rigorous input validation in kernel space operations, particularly when handling firmware data that originates from external sources. The fix implemented in the kernel update ensures that all microcode array accesses are properly bounded, preventing unauthorized memory reads that could potentially expose sensitive kernel information or facilitate further exploitation. Security teams should conduct thorough testing of updated kernel versions to ensure compatibility with existing graphics workloads while verifying that the memory access violations have been properly addressed. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical security considerations required when managing graphics driver components in operating system kernels, where improper bounds checking can create persistent security weaknesses that affect system integrity and data confidentiality.