CVE-2024-47754 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 10/21/2024
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
media: mediatek: vcodec: Fix H264 multi stateless decoder smatch warning
Fix a smatch static checker warning on vdec_h264_req_multi_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 CVE-2024-47754 represents a critical issue within the Linux kernel's media subsystem, specifically affecting the Mediatek video codec driver implementation. This flaw resides in the vcodec driver responsible for handling H264 video decoding operations through a multi-stateless decoder interface. The vulnerability manifests as a static analysis warning detected by the smatch checker tool, which is designed to identify potential programming errors and undefined behavior in kernel code. The underlying technical issue occurs in the vdec_h264_req_multi_if.c source file where proper null pointer validation is missing, creating a scenario where the framebuffer pointer fb can become NULL during execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code quality concerns to potentially compromise system stability and security. When the framebuffer pointer fb becomes NULL, the kernel crashes due to attempting to access invalid memory locations or perform operations on null references. This type of kernel crash represents a denial-of-service condition that can affect device functionality, particularly in embedded systems or mobile devices that rely on Mediatek hardware for video processing. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic null pointer dereference pattern that can be exploited by malicious actors to cause system instability or potentially escalate privileges through kernel memory corruption.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-476 which identifies null pointer dereference as a common weakness in software systems. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and error handling within the video decoding pipeline, where the driver fails to properly check for null framebuffer references before attempting to utilize them. The ATT&CK framework would categorize this vulnerability under privilege escalation and denial of service techniques, as it can be leveraged to disrupt system operations or potentially create conditions for more sophisticated attacks. The vulnerability's impact is particularly concerning in automotive infotainment systems, mobile devices, or embedded platforms where Mediatek chipsets are prevalent.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-47754 involve immediate patch deployment to address the null pointer validation issue in the vcodec driver. System administrators should prioritize updating kernel versions to include the fix that properly validates framebuffer pointers before dereferencing them. Additionally, implementing runtime monitoring for kernel crashes and memory access violations can help detect exploitation attempts. The fix should include comprehensive error handling that gracefully manages cases where framebuffer allocation fails or becomes invalid during the H264 decoding process. Organizations utilizing Mediatek-based systems should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit potential attack surfaces, while maintaining regular kernel updates to address similar static analysis warnings that may exist in other subsystems.