CVE-2024-46731 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 09/18/2024
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
drm/amd/pm: fix the Out-of-bounds read warning
using index i - 1U may beyond element index for mc_data[] when i = 0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/05/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-46731 resides within the Linux kernel's AMD display driver subsystem, specifically in the power management component responsible for handling memory controller data structures. This issue manifests as an out-of-bounds read condition that occurs during the processing of graphics power management operations. The flaw is particularly significant as it affects the drm/amd/pm subsystem which manages the power states and performance characteristics of AMD graphics hardware, making it a critical component for system stability and security.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from an improper index calculation within the mc_data[] array access logic. When the loop variable i reaches a value of zero, the expression i - 1U attempts to access an array element at index -1, which translates to an invalid memory access beyond the bounds of the allocated mc_data[] array. This type of arithmetic overflow in array indexing represents a classic software error pattern that can lead to unpredictable behavior, memory corruption, or potential exploitation by malicious actors. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-129, which describes improper validation of array indices, and specifically relates to CWE-787, which addresses out-of-bounds read conditions in software implementations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption, potentially affecting system stability and security posture of Linux systems running AMD graphics hardware. When triggered, this out-of-bounds read could cause the graphics driver to access invalid memory locations, leading to system crashes, data corruption, or potentially enabling privilege escalation attacks. The vulnerability affects systems that utilize AMD graphics hardware with power management features, particularly those running kernel versions that include the affected drm/amd/pm code path. Attackers could potentially exploit this condition to gain unauthorized access to system resources or cause denial of service through system crashes.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-46731 should focus on applying the official kernel patches that address the array index validation issue. System administrators should prioritize updating their Linux kernel installations to versions that contain the fix, which typically involves correcting the boundary conditions in the mc_data[] array access logic to prevent negative index calculations. The fix generally requires implementing proper bounds checking before array access operations, ensuring that the index value remains within valid array boundaries. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing runtime monitoring and intrusion detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts targeting this class of vulnerabilities, as outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework's techniques for privilege escalation and system exploitation. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to ensure comprehensive protection against similar out-of-bounds read conditions in other kernel subsystems.