CVE-2024-53134 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 12/04/2024
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
pmdomain: imx93-blk-ctrl: correct remove path
The check condition should be 'i onecell_data.num_domains', not 'bc->onecell_data.num_domains' which will make the look never finish and cause kernel panic.
Also disable runtime to address "imx93-blk-ctrl 4ac10000.system-controller: Unbalanced pm_runtime_enable!"
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/02/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-53134 affects the Linux kernel's power management domain implementation specifically within the imx93-blk-ctrl driver. This issue manifests as a critical flaw in the device removal path that can lead to system instability and potential kernel panics. The root cause lies in an incorrect conditional check during the cleanup process where the code references bc->onecell_data.num_domains instead of the correct i onecell_data.num_domains variable. This erroneous reference creates an infinite loop condition that prevents proper device removal and ultimately results in system crashes.
The technical implementation flaw stems from improper variable scoping and conditional logic within the power management domain handling code. When the driver attempts to clean up resources during device removal, it enters an infinite loop due to the incorrect loop condition that references a stale or improperly initialized variable. This condition causes the kernel to continuously iterate through the power management domain cleanup process without ever reaching the termination point, leading to resource exhaustion and system instability. The vulnerability directly impacts the kernel's ability to properly manage device power states and cleanup operations, creating a denial of service condition that can be exploited to crash the entire system.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to embedded systems and devices running on i.MX 93 SoC platforms that utilize the imx93-blk-ctrl driver. The infinite loop condition can cause complete system hangs or kernel panics, particularly during system shutdown or device hot-plug operations. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in automotive, industrial, or IoT applications where system reliability is critical and unexpected crashes can lead to safety issues or operational disruptions. The impact extends beyond simple system instability as it affects the kernel's power management subsystem, potentially causing cascading failures in device management and resource allocation.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2024-53134 involves correcting the conditional check in the device removal code to properly reference the local variable i onecell_data.num_domains instead of the incorrect bc->onecell_data.num_domains. Additionally, the fix includes disabling runtime power management for the imx93-blk-ctrl driver to prevent the unbalanced pm_runtime_enable warning that can occur during device initialization and removal. This solution addresses both the immediate infinite loop issue and the underlying power management inconsistency that can lead to further system instability. The fix aligns with industry best practices for kernel power management and follows the CWE 682 principle of incorrect arithmetic operations that can lead to infinite loops and system crashes.
This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper variable scoping and loop condition validation in kernel code, particularly within power management subsystems where improper resource handling can lead to complete system failures. The fix addresses both the immediate technical issue and prevents potential exploitation through denial of service attacks that could target system shutdown or device management operations. The implementation follows ATT&CK framework considerations for kernel-level vulnerabilities, specifically targeting the privilege escalation and denial of service techniques that can be leveraged through improper device management code. Organizations running affected systems should prioritize applying the kernel patches that resolve this vulnerability to maintain system stability and prevent potential exploitation.