Welcome to our in-depth look at CVE-2024-49969, a noteworthy security vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel's AMD display driver. This issue has been classified with a high severity rating and a CVSS (Common Vulnerability Scoring System) score of 7.8. It is crucial for users and administrators of affected systems to understand the implications of this vulnerability and the steps for mitigation.
The problem identified, officially referenced as CVE-2024-49969, lies within the cm3_helper_translate_curve_to_hw_format function of the DCN30 color management module in the Linux kernel. This function is used in the processing of color transformations in AMD's graphics drivers.
Specifically, the vulnerability was caused by an index out of bounds error. This can occur when the variable 'i', which is used to index the array of transfer function points in color transformation data, exceeds the predefined limit of TRANSFER_FUNC_POINTS. If this boundary is surpassed, it leads to buffer overflow conditions in the components managing the red, green, and blue color data, specifically at:
drivers/gpu/drm/amd/amdgpu/../display/dc/dcn30/dcn30_cm_common.c:180 cm3_helper_translate_curve_to_hw_format() error: buffer overflow 'output_tf->tf_pts.red' 1025 <= s32max drivers/gpu/drm/amd/amdgpu/../display/dc/dcn30/dcn30_cm_common.c:181 cm3_helper_translate_curve_to_hw_format() error: buffer overflow 'output_tf->tf_pts.green' 1025 <= s32max drivers/gpu/drm/amd/amdgpu/../display/dc/dcn30/dcn30_cm_common.c:182 cm3_helper_translate_curve_to_hw_format() error: buffer overflow 'output_tf->tf_pts.blue' 1025 <= s32maxThis bug can lead to system crashes, incorrect processing of color data, and potentially, it could be exploited by attackers to execute arbitrary code.
Systems running affected versions of the Linux kernel with specific AMD graphic drivers are vulnerable to this bug. It is particularly concerning in environments where graphic rendering and color accuracy are critical, such as graphic design, video production, and gaming platforms.
The patch introduced to address this vulnerability involves additional checks to ensure that the index 'i' remains within the bounds before it's used to access array elements. With this change, the function now returns false to signal an error if 'i' is out of bounds, effectively preventing the buffer overflow.
Users of affected systems are strongly advised to update their Linux kernel to the latest version that includes this fix. Distributors of Linux distributions have likely already incorporated these patches in their latest releases. It's crucial to stay updated with your distribution's release notes and security advisories to ensure your systems are protected.
Understanding and addressing vulnerabilities like CVE-2024-49969 are essential for maintaining the security and integrity of computer systems. Such vulnerabilities, if left unchecked, could compromise system stability and security. By promptly applying updates and following security best practices, users can protect their systems from potential exploits stemming from this vulnerability.
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