CVE-2024-58065 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 03/06/2025
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
clk: mmp: pxa1908-apbc: Fix NULL vs IS_ERR() check
The devm_kzalloc() function returns NULL on error, not error pointers. Fix the check.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/16/2026
The vulnerability CVE-2024-58065 addresses a critical flaw in the Linux kernel's clock management subsystem specifically affecting the Marvell MMP pxa1908-apbc driver. This issue resides within the device tree clock framework where improper error handling can lead to system instability and potential security implications. The problem manifests in how the driver processes memory allocation errors during device initialization, creating a scenario where a NULL pointer is incorrectly treated as an error pointer, potentially causing kernel panics or undefined behavior.
The technical root cause involves the devm_kzalloc() function which allocates memory and returns NULL upon failure rather than error pointers as might be expected in some kernel APIs. The buggy code was performing an IS_ERR() check against a NULL return value, which is fundamentally incorrect since IS_ERR() is designed to test error pointer values, not NULL pointers. This type of error handling flaw represents a classic violation of kernel programming best practices and can be categorized under CWE-476 as NULL pointer dereference vulnerability, though specifically manifesting in improper error checking patterns.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory allocation failures to potentially compromise system stability during device initialization phases. When the pxa1908-apbc clock driver attempts to allocate memory for device structures, an improper NULL vs IS_ERR() check could lead to kernel crashes, system hangs, or more insidiously, allow attackers to exploit the memory management error for privilege escalation or denial of service attacks. The vulnerability affects systems using Marvell MMP SoCs, particularly those implementing the pxa1908-apbc clock controller, which is common in embedded devices, IoT appliances, and mobile platforms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-58065 focus on applying the kernel patch that corrects the error checking logic by replacing the IS_ERR() check with proper NULL pointer validation. System administrators should prioritize updating their kernel versions to include this fix, particularly in production environments where stability is paramount. The fix aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 by preventing unauthorized privilege escalation through kernel memory management vulnerabilities, while also supporting the broader security posture by maintaining kernel integrity. Organizations running embedded systems or IoT devices should conduct thorough testing of kernel updates to ensure compatibility with existing hardware configurations, as improper error handling corrections can sometimes introduce subtle regressions in device functionality. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper error handling in kernel space code and highlights the need for comprehensive code reviews focusing on memory management patterns and error checking consistency across all kernel subsystems.