CVE-2024-49991·Kernel vulnerability
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: drm/amdkfd: amdkfd_free_gtt_mem clear the correct pointer Pass pointer reference to amdgpu_bo_unref to clear the correct pointer, otherwise amdgpu_bo_unref clear the local variable, the original pointer not set to NULL, this could cause use-after-free bug.
- Severity
- high
- Software
- Kernel
- Fixed in
- 6.11.3
- Published
How likely is exploitation
FIRST's Exploit Prediction Scoring System puts the probability of this CVE being exploited in the next 30 days at <0.1% — in the bottom 1% of all published CVEs. EPSS is an independent forecast of exploitation, not a severity rating: it says nothing about how much damage a successful attack does, which is what a CVSS score measures.
Read the two together. CVE-2024-49991 scores 7.8 on CVSS, so a successful attack would be serious — but at <0.1%, almost nobody is currently attempting it. That is a different situation from a flaw under mass exploitation, and it is usually the difference between patching on your next maintenance window and patching tonight.
Affected versions
From: 6.11
Until: 6.11.3
Fixed in: 6.11.3
How to fix this CVE
Update your Linux kernel to version 6.11.3 or later to resolve a use-after-free vulnerability in the AMD GPU kernel driver. This issue occurs when memory pointers are not properly cleared during GPU memory deallocation, potentially leading to kernel exploitation. Apply the fix through your distribution's package manager as soon as possible.
sudo dnf update kernel kernel-develDefensia detects this vulnerability
How to check if you are affected
- Step 1: Check installed kernel version with: uname -r (vulnerable if version is 6.11.0, 6.11.1, 6.11.2, or 6.11.x before 6.11.3)
- Step 2: Verify if AMD GPU is present and amdkfd module is loaded: lsmod | grep amdkfd
- Step 3: Search kernel logs for GPU memory allocation errors: dmesg | grep -i 'amdkfd\|amdgpu_bo_unref'
- Step 4: After patching, reboot and confirm fixed version: uname -r (should be 6.11.3 or newer)
FAQ
What is CVE-2024-49991?
CVE-2024-49991 is a use-after-free vulnerability in the AMD KFD (Kernel Fusion Driver) memory management subsystem where improperly cleared pointers can lead to accessing freed GPU memory, potentially allowing local privilege escalation.
Is CVE-2024-49991 being actively exploited?
No, there is no evidence of active exploitation in the wild, and no public exploits are currently available for this vulnerability.
What versions of Kernel are affected by CVE-2024-49991?
Linux kernel versions 6.11.0 through 6.11.2 are vulnerable. The fix was released in kernel 6.11.3.
How do I check if my server is vulnerable to CVE-2024-49991?
Run 'uname -r' to check your kernel version. If it returns 6.11.0, 6.11.1, or 6.11.2, you are vulnerable. Additionally, verify AMD GPU presence with 'lspci | grep AMD' and check if amdkfd module is loaded with 'lsmod | grep amdkfd'.
Does Defensia detect CVE-2024-49991?
Yes — Defensia's CVE advisory scanner compares installed package versions against the NVD database. If the Linux kernel is installed on a monitored server running versions 6.11.0-6.11.2, CVE-2024-49991 will appear in your dashboard with remediation steps.
Related Kernel CVEs
References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/30ceb873cc2e97348d9da2265b2d1ddf07f682e1
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/6c9289806591807e4e3be9a23df8ee2069180055
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/71f3240f82987f0f070ea5bed559033de7d4c0e1
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/c86ad39140bbcb9dc75a10046c2221f657e8083b
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e7831613cbbcd9058d3658fbcdc5d5884ceb2e0c
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