CVE-2024-50048: linux kernel Null Dereference — Fix

Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: fbcon: Fix a NULL pointer dereference issue in fbcon_putcs syzbot has found a NULL pointer dereference bug in fbcon. Here is the simplified C reproducer: struct param { uint8_t type; struct tiocl_selection ts; }; int main() { struct fb_con2fbmap con2fb; struct param param; int fd = open("/dev/fb1", 0, 0); con2fb.console = 0x19; con2fb.framebuffer = 0; ioctl(fd, FBIOPUT_CON2FBMAP, &con2fb); param.type = 2; param.ts.xs = 0; param.ts.ys = 0; param.ts.xe = 0; param.ts.ye = 0; param.ts.sel_mode = 0; int fd1 = open("/dev/tty1", O_RDWR, 0); ioctl(fd1, TIOCLINUX, &param); con2fb.console = 1; con2fb.framebuffer = 0; ioctl(fd, FBIOPUT_CON2FBMAP, &con2fb); return 0; } After calling ioctl(fd1, TIOCLINUX, &param), the subsequent ioctl(fd, FBIOPUT_CON2FBMAP, &con2fb) causes the kernel to follow a different execution path: set_con2fb_map -> con2fb_init_display -> fbcon_set_disp -> redraw_screen -> hide_cursor -> clear_selection -> highlight -> invert_screen -> do_update_region -> fbcon_putcs -> ops->putcs Since ops->putcs is a NULL pointer, this leads to a kernel panic. To prevent this, we need to call set_blitting_type() within set_con2fb_map() to properly initialize ops->putcs.

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CVSS v3.1 Score

5.5

MEDIUM

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

Weakness Type (CWE)

CWE-476 CWE-476

Affected Products

Vendor	Product	Versions
linux	linux_kernel	< 6.1.113
linux	linux_kernel	6.2 — 6.6.57
linux	linux_kernel	6.7 — 6.11.4

References

Advisories & Patches

https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/5b97eebcce1b4f3f07a71f635d6aa3af96c236e7 https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/8266ae6eafdcd5a3136592445ff4038bbc7ee80e https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e5c2dba62996a3a6eeb34bd248b90fc69c5a6a1b https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/f7fb5dda555344529ce584ff7a28b109528d2f1b

Other References

https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2025/01/msg00001.html

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2024-50048? +

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: fbcon: Fix a NULL pointer dereference issue in fbcon_putcs syzbot has found a NULL pointer dereference bug in fbcon. Here is the simplified C reproducer: struct param { uint8_t type; struct tiocl_selection ts; }; int main() { struct fb_con2fbmap con2fb; struct param param; int fd = open("/dev/fb1", 0, 0); con2fb.console = 0x19; con2fb.framebuffer = 0; ioctl(fd, FBIOPUT_CON2FBMAP, &con2fb); param.type = 2; param.ts.xs = 0; param.ts.ys = 0; param.ts.xe = 0; param.ts.ye = 0; param.ts.sel_mode = 0; int fd1 = open("/dev/tty1", O_RDWR, 0); ioctl(fd1, TIOCLINUX, &param); con2fb.console = 1; con2fb.framebuffer = 0; ioctl(fd, FBIOPUT_CON2FBMAP, &con2fb); return 0; } After calling ioctl(fd1, TIOCLINUX, &param), the subsequent ioctl(fd, FBIOPUT_CON2FBMAP, &con2fb) causes the kernel to follow a different execution path: set_con2fb_map -> con2fb_init_display -> fbcon_set_disp -> redraw_screen -> hide_cursor -> clear_selection -> highlight -> invert_screen -> do_update_region -> fbcon_putcs -> ops->putcs Since ops->putcs is a NULL pointer, this leads to a kernel panic. To prevent this, we need to call set_blitting_type() within set_con2fb_map() to properly initialize ops->putcs. It has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 5.5 (MEDIUM).

How severe is CVE-2024-50048? +

CVE-2024-50048 has a CVSS v3.1 score of 5.5 out of 10, rated MEDIUM. This is a medium-severity vulnerability that should be remediated as part of regular maintenance.

What products are affected by CVE-2024-50048? +

CVE-2024-50048 affects products from linux, specifically: linux_kernel. Check the affected products table above for specific version ranges.

How do I check if I'm vulnerable to CVE-2024-50048? +

You can use Secably's free Website Scanner to check your website for known vulnerabilities. For infrastructure scanning, use the Port Scanner to identify exposed services that may be affected. Check the vendor advisories linked above for specific patch and version information.

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