Critical Vulnerability in Linux Kernel: Potential DIVIDE_BY_ZERO in AMD Display Driver
Summary
DEBIAN-CVE-2024-57950: In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: drm/amd/display: Initialize denominator defaults to 1 [WHAT & HOW] Variables, used as denominators and maybe not assigned to other values, should be ini... Affects linux versions < 6.12.12-1. Fixed in 6.12.12-1. How to fix ↓
Check if this vulnerability affects your application
Upload a manifest or SBOM and we'll show whether you're affected, plus every other risky package in the same scan.
No signup required · Results in about 60 seconds
Background
The Linux kernel is the core component of many operating systems, including Debian. It manages hardware resources and provides essential services for software applications. The kernel is known for its stability and performance, but like any complex software, it can have vulnerabilities. This specific vulnerability affects the AMD display driver within the kernel, which is responsible for rendering graphics on systems using AMD hardware.
Vulnerability Detail
In the Linux kernel, a vulnerability has been identified in the AMD display driver where variables used as denominators were not properly initialized. This oversight could lead to a DIVIDE_BY_ZERO error, potentially causing system crashes or unpredictable behavior. The issue was reported by Coverity and has been addressed in a subsequent patch.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
6.12.12-1
This is the first release that contains the fix.
sudo apt-get install --only-upgrade linuxTip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
Currently, there are no specific workarounds mentioned for this vulnerability. The best course of action is to apply the patch by updating the kernel as described above.
Conclusion
The identified vulnerability in the Linux kernel's AMD display driver poses a significant risk due to the potential for system crashes. Users are strongly encouraged to update to the patched version to ensure their systems remain secure. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help monitor for such vulnerabilities in real-time.
See every vulnerability recorded for linux →
FAQ
The vulnerability involves uninitialized variables in the AMD display driver, which can lead to a DIVIDE_BY_ZERO error.
You can use the Vulert platform to monitor and alert for open-source vulnerabilities in your software. Visit Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected.
If exploited, this vulnerability could cause system crashes or unpredictable behavior, affecting the stability of applications relying on the AMD display driver.
Yes, the vulnerability has been patched in version 6.12.12-1 of the Linux kernel.
While there are no specific workarounds, it is crucial to plan for an update as soon as possible to mitigate the risk associated with this vulnerability.
References
Related vulnerabilities
Recent vulnerabilities recorded for linux.
