CVE-2024-57998 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 02/27/2025
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
OPP: add index check to assert to avoid buffer overflow in _read_freq()
Pass the freq index to the assert function to make sure we do not read a freq out of the opp->rates[] table when called
from the indexed variants: dev_pm_opp_find_freq_exact_indexed() or dev_pm_opp_find_freq_ceil/floor_indexed().
Add a secondary parameter to the assert function, unused for assert_single_clk() then add assert_clk_index() which will check for the clock index when called from the _indexed() find functions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/24/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-57998 resides within the Linux kernel's On-Demand Performance Policy (OPP) subsystem, specifically affecting the _read_freq() function implementation. This issue represents a potential buffer overflow condition that could compromise system stability and security. The OPP framework manages power and performance states for devices, making it a critical component in kernel-level resource management. When the kernel processes frequency requests through indexed OPP functions, improper bounds checking can lead to memory corruption scenarios that adversaries might exploit to gain unauthorized access or cause system instability.
The technical flaw stems from insufficient index validation within the OPP subsystem's frequency reading mechanism. The _read_freq() function lacks proper bounds checking when processing frequency requests from indexed variants of OPP lookup functions. This vulnerability manifests when dev_pm_opp_find_freq_exact_indexed(), dev_pm_opp_find_freq_ceil_indexed(), or dev_pm_opp_find_freq_floor_indexed() invoke the _read_freq() function without adequate verification of the frequency index against the available opp->rates[] table boundaries. The absence of index validation creates a scenario where memory access occurs beyond allocated buffer limits, potentially leading to data corruption or arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across multiple system components that rely on proper OPP functionality for power management. Systems utilizing the Linux kernel's power management features, particularly those with complex device hierarchies and dynamic frequency scaling requirements, face potential instability when processing indexed OPP requests. Attackers could exploit this buffer overflow to execute malicious code within kernel space, potentially escalating privileges or causing denial of service conditions that affect system availability. The vulnerability affects devices that depend on indexed OPP lookups for performance state transitions, including mobile devices, servers, and embedded systems with dynamic power management capabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-57998 involve implementing comprehensive index validation within the OPP subsystem's frequency handling functions. The solution requires modifying the assert function to accept an additional index parameter specifically for indexed OPP operations, while maintaining backward compatibility for non-indexed functions. This approach aligns with common security practices outlined in the Common Weakness Enumeration framework, where CWE-129 represents "Improper Validation of Array Index" and CWE-787 represents "Out-of-bounds Write." The implementation should introduce assert_clk_index() function variants that specifically validate clock indices when invoked from indexed OPP functions, ensuring that all frequency index references remain within valid table boundaries. Security-conscious system administrators should prioritize kernel updates that incorporate these fixes, particularly in environments where kernel-level exploits pose significant operational risks. The mitigation approach also supports ATT&CK framework techniques related to privilege escalation and defense evasion by preventing unauthorized memory access patterns that could be leveraged for malicious purposes.