CVE-2024-47753 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 10/21/2024
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
media: mediatek: vcodec: Fix VP8 stateless decoder smatch warning
Fix a smatch static checker warning on vdec_vp8_req_if.c. Which leads to a kernel crash when fb is NULL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/19/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-47753 affects the Linux kernel's media subsystem, specifically within the Mediatek video codec driver implementation. This issue resides in the VP8 stateless decoder component located in the vdec_vp8_req_if.c file, where a static analysis tool called smatch has detected a potential warning condition. The vulnerability represents a classic null pointer dereference scenario that can lead to system instability and potential denial of service conditions.
The technical flaw manifests when the framebuffer pointer (fb) becomes NULL during VP8 decoding operations within the Mediatek video codec driver. This null pointer condition occurs during stateless decoder processing where the system fails to properly validate framebuffer references before attempting to access them. The smatch static checker identifies this as a potential code path where dereferencing a NULL pointer could occur, which would result in an immediate kernel crash. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-476 category of NULL Pointer Dereference, representing a fundamental memory safety issue in kernel space operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system crashes, as it can compromise the stability of devices relying on Mediatek video codec hardware acceleration. Systems utilizing the affected kernel versions may experience unexpected kernel panics or system lockups when processing VP8 video streams through the mediatek vcodec driver. This affects embedded devices, smartphones, and other hardware platforms that depend on Mediatek's video processing capabilities, potentially leading to complete system unavailability during video decoding operations. The vulnerability can be exploited by malicious actors who can trigger the specific code path leading to the NULL pointer dereference, making it a potential vector for denial of service attacks against vulnerable systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-47753 should focus on applying the official kernel patch that resolves the smatch warning and implements proper NULL pointer validation in the vdec_vp8_req_if.c file. System administrators should prioritize updating to kernel versions that include the fix, typically those incorporating the specific commit that addresses the framebuffer validation issue. The fix should ensure that all framebuffer pointers are validated before access, implementing proper error handling mechanisms that prevent kernel crashes when NULL references occur. Additionally, organizations should monitor for similar patterns in other video codec drivers and implement comprehensive testing procedures that include static analysis tools like smatch to identify potential null pointer dereference vulnerabilities. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of static code analysis in kernel development and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service through kernel exploitation.