Linux: Improper Validation of Array Index
CVE-2024-42117 is a high-severity improper validation of array index vulnerability in Linux, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 out of 10. It can be exploited with local access to the system by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. The record lists versions a9c047a5cf3135b8b66bd28fbe2c698b9cace0b3, 01eb50e53c1ce505bf449348d433181310288765 as the first without the flaw, so updating Linux to one of those releases or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.23% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update Linux to a9c047a5cf3135b8b66bd28fbe2c698b9cace0b3 or 01eb50e53c1ce505bf449348d433181310288765, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Update Linux Kernel to 6.9.9 or a later version.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Linux | Linux | 7966f319c66d9468623c6a6a017ecbc0dd79be75 up to, but not including, a9c047a5cf3135b8b66bd28fbe2c698b9cace0b3; 7966f319c66d9468623c6a6a017ecbc0dd79be75 up to, but not including, 01eb50e53c1ce505bf449348d433181310288765; 6.7 | a9c047a5cf3135b8b66bd28fbe2c698b9cace0b3, 01eb50e53c1ce505bf449348d433181310288765 |
| Linux | Linux Kernel | 6.7 up to, but not including, 6.9.9 | 6.9.9 |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- LocalThe attacker needs local access or must trick a user into running something.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- LowA basic user account is enough.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.8 | High | CNA |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.8 | High | NVD |
Official description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: drm/amd/display: ASSERT when failing to find index by plane/stream id [WHY] find_disp_cfg_idx_by_plane_id and find_disp_cfg_idx_by_stream_id returns an array index and they return -1 when not found; however, -1 is not a valid index number. [HOW] When this happens, call ASSERT(), and return a positive number (which is fewer than callers' array size) instead. This fixes 4 OVERRUN and 2 NEGATIVE_RETURNS issues reported by Coverity.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Validation of Array Index
The product uses untrusted input when calculating or using an array index, but the product does not validate or incorrectly validates the index to ensure the index references a valid position within the array.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Use an input validation framework such as Struts or the OWASP ESAPI Validation API. Note that using a framework does not automatically address all input validation problems; be mindful of weaknesses that could arise from misusing the framework itself (CWE-1173).
- Use a language that does not allow this weakness to occur or provides constructs that make this weakness easier to avoid. For example, Ada allows the programmer to constrain the values of a variable and languages such as Java and Ruby will allow the programmer to handle exceptions when an out-of-bounds index is accessed.
- Use a CPU and operating system that offers Data Execution Protection (using hardware NX or XD bits) or the equivalent techniques that simulate this feature in software, such as PaX. These techniques ensure that any instruction executed is exclusively at a memory address that is part of the code segment. For more information on these techniques see D3-PSEP (Process Segment Execution Prevention) from D3FEND.
More Improper Validation of Array Index vulnerabilities (CWE-129)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Patches and release notes
Recent Improper Validation of Array Index vulnerabilities
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
Spotted an error? Tell us.