CVE-2024-50291 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 11/19/2024
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
media: dvb-core: add missing buffer index check
dvb_vb2_expbuf() didn't check if the given buffer index was for a valid buffer. Add this check.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/16/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-50291 resides within the Linux kernel's digital video broadcast subsystem, specifically in the dvb-core module responsible for handling DVB device operations. This issue affects the dvb_vb2_expbuf() function which serves as an interface for exporting video buffer handles to userspace applications. The flaw represents a classic buffer management oversight that could potentially lead to system instability or security implications when processing malformed buffer indices.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from the absence of proper validation within the dvb_vb2_expbuf() function implementation. When userspace applications attempt to export video buffers through the DVB subsystem, the kernel function fails to verify whether the provided buffer index corresponds to an actual valid buffer within the allocated buffer pool. This missing validation creates a potential for out-of-bounds memory access patterns or invalid buffer references that could be exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which specifically addresses insufficient validation of buffer indices, and represents a typical case of improper input validation in kernel space operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple functional failures to potentially compromise system integrity and stability. When a malformed buffer index is processed without validation, it could trigger memory corruption within the kernel's video buffer management structures. This scenario presents risk for system crashes, denial of service conditions, or in more severe cases, privilege escalation opportunities that could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code with kernel-level privileges. The DVB subsystem's role in handling real-time video data processing makes this particularly concerning as it could affect multimedia applications, digital television reception, and broadcast systems relying on kernel-level buffer management.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-50291 should focus on implementing the patched validation logic that was introduced to address the missing buffer index check. System administrators should prioritize applying the relevant kernel updates that contain the fix for this vulnerability, which typically involves adding bounds checking to verify that buffer indices fall within valid ranges before processing. The fix aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 by addressing a kernel-level privilege escalation vector through proper input validation. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring solutions to detect anomalous buffer access patterns and establish robust kernel security configurations that minimize the attack surface for such vulnerabilities. Regular kernel updates and security audits remain essential practices for maintaining system integrity against similar buffer management flaws in the Linux kernel's multimedia subsystem.