CVE-2024-53050

Description

A flaw was found in the Linux kernel's Intel i915 graphics driver. A missing validation check on the display encoder within the High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) component allows a local authenticated attacker to trigger a null pointer dereference. This flaw can cause a kernel crash, resulting in a Denial of Service (DoS).

Mitigation

Prevent loading of the i915 kernel module on systems where Intel graphics hardware is not required.

1. Create a configuration file named `/etc/modprobe.d/blacklist-i915.conf` with the following entries:

text
blacklist i915
install i915 /bin/true

Caveat: Disabling the i915 driver prevents hardware-accelerated graphics and display output on Intel graphics adapters, which will impact graphical desktop sessions. Headless servers or systems using non-Intel display adapters will not be impacted. A system restart is required if the module is already loaded in the running kernel.

Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) Score Details

Info alert:Important note

CVSS scores for open source components depend on vendor-specific factors (e.g. version or build chain). Therefore, Red Hat's score and impact rating can be different from NVD and other vendors. Red Hat remains the authoritative CVE Naming Authority (CNA) source for its products and services (see Red Hat classifications).

CVSS v3 Score Breakdown

Red HatNVDcve.org
Base Score5.55.55.5
Attack VectorLocalLocalLocal
Attack ComplexityLowLowLow
Privileges RequiredLowLowLow
User InteractionNoneNoneNone
ScopeUnchangedUnchangedUnchanged
ConfidentialityNoneNoneNone
Integrity ImpactNoneNoneNone
Availability ImpactHighHighHigh

Vector

Red Hat: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

NVD: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

cve.org: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

Understanding the Weakness (CWE)

Availability

Technical Impact: DoS: Crash, Exit, or Restart

NULL pointer dereferences usually result in the failure of the process unless exception handling (on some platforms) is available and implemented. Even when exception handling is being used, it can still be very difficult to return the software to a safe state of operation.

Integrity,Confidentiality

Technical Impact: Execute Unauthorized Code or Commands; Read Memory; Modify Memory

In rare circumstances, when NULL is equivalent to the 0x0 memory address and privileged code can access it, then writing or reading memory is possible, which may lead to code execution.

Frequently Asked Questions

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