Null Pointer Dereference Vulnerability in Linux Kernel's FPGA Bridge

linux Updated 02 Oct 2025

Summary

24/06/2024

Disclosed on

N/A

Severity

No i

Fix available

Medium

Severity

5.5

CVSS Score

CVE-2024-36479: In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: fpga: bridge: add owner module and take its refcount The current implementation of the fpga bridge assumes that the low-level module registers a driver... Affects linux versions 5.10.103-1 – 6.9.9-1. No fix is published. How to fix ↓

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Background

The Linux kernel is a core component of many operating systems, providing essential services for hardware and software interaction. It supports a wide range of devices and functionalities, including Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). The FPGA bridge is responsible for managing communication between the FPGA and the host system. This vulnerability arises from an assumption in the bridge's implementation regarding the presence of a driver for the parent device, which can lead to critical failures if not properly managed.

Vulnerability Detail

In the Linux kernel, the FPGA bridge implementation incorrectly assumes that the parent device will always have a registered driver. This assumption can lead to a null pointer dereference when attempting to access the bridge if the parent device lacks a driver. The vulnerability stems from the absence of a proper module owner pointer in the fpga_bridge struct, which is necessary for managing the module's reference count. If the reference count is not handled correctly, it can result in system instability and crashes, potentially exposing the system to further vulnerabilities.

How To Fix

No fixed version is published for this vulnerability.

To fix this vulnerability, update the FPGA bridge implementation by adding a module owner pointer to the fpga_bridge struct. Modify the registration function for the bridge to include an additional owner module parameter. Ensure that the new implementation is compatible with existing low-level control modules. After making these changes, recompile the kernel and deploy the updated version to ensure the vulnerability is resolved.

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Workaround

Currently, there are no specific workarounds mentioned for this vulnerability. However, ensuring that all parent devices have registered drivers can mitigate the risk of encountering a null pointer dereference.

Conclusion

The CVE-2024-36479 vulnerability in the Linux kernel's FPGA bridge poses a significant risk due to potential null pointer dereferences. It is crucial for users to update their systems to the latest kernel versions to mitigate this risk and ensure system stability. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help monitor vulnerabilities in real-time.

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