CVE-2024-42118·Kernel vulnerability
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: drm/amd/display: Do not return negative stream id for array [WHY] resource_stream_to_stream_idx returns an array index and it return -1 when not found; however, -1 is not a valid array index number. [HOW] When this happens, call ASSERT(), and return a zero instead. This fixes an OVERRUN and an NEGATIVE_RETURNS issues reported by Coverity.
- Severity
- high
- Software
- Kernel
- Fixed in
- 6.9.9
- Published
- 2024-07-30
Affected versions
From: 4.15
Until: 6.9.9
Fixed in: 6.9.9
How to fix this CVE
Update your Linux kernel to version 6.9.9 or later to address a critical array bounds issue in the AMD display driver that could cause kernel crashes or memory corruption. This vulnerability affects the DRM (Direct Rendering Manager) subsystem's stream indexing logic, which failed to handle invalid array indices safely. Apply the patch immediately across all affected systems running kernel versions 4.15 through 6.9.8.
sudo dnf update kernel kernel-develDefensia detects this vulnerability
How to check if you are affected
- Step 1: Check your current kernel version with `uname -r` and compare against the vulnerable range (4.15-6.9.8)
- Step 2: Verify AMD GPU driver is in use by running `lspci | grep -i amd` and checking for display-class devices
- Step 3: Search kernel logs for DRM/display driver errors using `dmesg | grep -i 'amd\|display\|stream' | tail -20`
- Step 4: After patching, confirm kernel version is ≥6.9.9 with `uname -r` and reboot if needed
FAQ
What is CVE-2024-42118?
A kernel vulnerability in AMD's display driver where the stream indexing function could return invalid array indices (-1), potentially causing out-of-bounds memory access or kernel crashes on systems using AMD GPUs with the DRM subsystem.
Is CVE-2024-42118 being actively exploited?
No, this vulnerability is not listed on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog and no public exploits are available. However, it should still be patched due to its high severity rating (CVSS 7.8).
What versions of Kernel are affected by CVE-2024-42118?
Linux kernel versions 4.15 through 6.9.8 are affected. The vulnerability is fixed in version 6.9.9 and later.
How do I check if my server is vulnerable to CVE-2024-42118?
Run `uname -r` to display your kernel version. If it shows a version between 4.15 and 6.9.8 inclusive, your system is vulnerable. Also verify AMD GPU presence with `lspci | grep -i amd`.
Does Defensia detect CVE-2024-42118?
Yes — Defensia's CVE advisory scanner compares installed package versions against the NVD database. If Kernel is installed on a monitored server, CVE-2024-42118 will appear in your dashboard with remediation steps.
Related Kernel CVEs
References
Track CVEs across your fleet automatically
Defensia scans your Linux servers and tells you exactly which ones are running vulnerable versions — including CVE-2024-42118. Free for 1 server.
Get started free