CVE-2024-46817 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 09/27/2024
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
drm/amd/display: Stop amdgpu_dm initialize when stream nums greater than 6
[Why]
Coverity reports OVERRUN warning. Should abort amdgpu_dm initialize.
[How]
Return failure to amdgpu_dm_init.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/19/2025
The vulnerability CVE-2024-46817 represents a critical buffer overrun condition within the AMD GPU display driver component of the Linux kernel. This issue specifically affects the amdgpu_dm driver which manages display outputs for AMD graphics hardware. The problem manifests when the driver attempts to initialize display streams beyond the expected limit of six streams, creating a scenario where the driver's internal data structures cannot properly accommodate the additional stream configurations. The Coverity static analysis tool identified this potential overrun condition during code review, highlighting the risk of memory corruption when the driver processes display configurations that exceed the hardcoded stream limit.
The technical flaw stems from insufficient bounds checking within the display initialization routine of the amdgpu_dm driver. When the system attempts to configure more than six display streams, the driver fails to properly validate the stream count against its internal buffer allocations. This oversight creates a classic buffer overrun vulnerability where the driver's memory management routines attempt to write beyond allocated buffer boundaries. The vulnerability operates at the kernel level within the direct rendering manager subsystem, specifically within the AMD display management code path that handles multiple display output configurations. This type of flaw falls under CWE-129, which describes improper validation of the length of input data, and represents a direct violation of secure coding practices for kernel space memory management.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system instability to potentially enable privilege escalation and system compromise. When the driver encounters more than six display streams, the buffer overrun can corrupt adjacent memory regions, potentially affecting critical kernel data structures or even enabling attackers to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. The vulnerability affects systems running Linux kernels with AMD GPU hardware where multiple display outputs are configured, particularly in enterprise environments with complex display setups or virtualized graphics configurations. Attackers could potentially exploit this condition by configuring display environments that trigger the overrun scenario, leading to denial of service conditions or more severe security implications depending on the specific memory corruption patterns.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-46817 focus on both immediate patch application and operational hardening measures. The primary solution involves applying the kernel patch that implements proper bounds checking and returns failure codes when stream counts exceed the supported limit of six streams. Organizations should prioritize kernel updates to ensure the vulnerability is addressed at the source. Additionally, system administrators should monitor display configuration settings to prevent scenarios that might trigger the vulnerable code path. The fix implements a defensive programming approach that aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 by preventing unauthorized privilege escalation through kernel memory corruption. System hardening measures including restricting display configuration capabilities and implementing proper input validation for display stream parameters can further reduce the attack surface. Network security teams should also consider monitoring for unusual display configuration changes that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly in environments where multiple display outputs are configured. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of thorough input validation in kernel space code and highlights the need for comprehensive testing of edge cases in graphics driver implementations.