CVE-2024-46732 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 09/18/2024
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
drm/amd/display: Assign linear_pitch_alignment even for VM
[Description]
Assign linear_pitch_alignment so we don't cause a divide by 0 error in VM environments
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/05/2026
This vulnerability exists within the Linux kernel's AMD display driver component specifically in the direct rendering manager subsystem. The issue manifests when handling virtual memory environments where the linear pitch alignment parameter fails to be properly initialized. This oversight occurs during the display subsystem initialization process when the driver attempts to configure memory layout parameters for graphics operations. The root cause stems from a conditional logic error where the linear_pitch_alignment variable is not assigned appropriate values when operating within virtualized memory contexts, creating a critical gap in memory management configuration.
The technical flaw represents a divide by zero error condition that occurs when the display driver attempts to calculate memory pitch alignment values in virtualized environments. This condition arises because the driver assumes that linear_pitch_alignment will always contain a valid non-zero value, but in VM environments this assumption fails. The vulnerability specifically affects the AMD display driver's memory management routines where it calculates memory layout parameters for graphics operations. When the division operation attempts to use a zero value as a divisor, the system experiences a critical failure that can lead to system instability or complete system crashes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system crashes to encompass broader security implications within virtualized environments. Systems running virtual machines that utilize AMD graphics hardware become particularly susceptible to denial of service conditions when the display subsystem attempts to process graphics operations. This vulnerability can be exploited by malicious actors to cause system instability in virtualized deployments, potentially leading to service disruption and resource exhaustion. The issue affects any system utilizing AMD graphics hardware within virtualized environments, making it particularly concerning for cloud computing platforms and server deployments that rely heavily on virtualization technologies.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing proper initialization of the linear_pitch_alignment parameter regardless of the memory environment. System administrators should prioritize applying the latest kernel updates that contain the patched implementation for the drm/amd/display subsystem. The fix involves ensuring that the linear_pitch_alignment variable is always assigned appropriate values even in virtualized memory contexts, preventing the divide by zero condition from occurring. Additionally, organizations should implement monitoring solutions to detect anomalous behavior in graphics subsystem operations and establish robust backup procedures for virtualized environments that rely on AMD graphics hardware. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-369, which addresses divide by zero errors, and represents a specific implementation issue within the ATT&CK framework under privilege escalation and denial of service techniques. The patched kernel version should be deployed across all affected systems, particularly in enterprise environments where virtualization and graphics processing are heavily utilized.