CVE-2024-56612

Medium

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: mm/gup: handle NULL pages in unpin_user_pages() The recent addition of "pofs" (pages or folios) handling to gup has a flaw: it assumes that unpin_user_pages() handles NULL pages in the pages** array. That's not the case, as I discovered when I ran on a new configuration on my test machine. Fix this by skipping NULL pages in unpin_user_pages(), just like unpin_folios() already does. Details: when booting on x86 with "numa=fake=2 movablecore=4G" on Linux 6.12, and running this: tools/testing/selftests/mm/gup_longterm ...I get the following crash: BUG: kernel NULL pointer dereference, address: 0000000000000008 RIP: 0010:sanity_check_pinned_pages+0x3a/0x2d0 ... Call Trace: <TASK> ? __die_body+0x66/0xb0 ? page_fault_oops+0x30c/0x3b0 ? do_user_addr_fault+0x6c3/0x720 ? irqentry_enter+0x34/0x60 ? exc_page_fault+0x68/0x100 ? asm_exc_page_fault+0x22/0x30 ? sanity_check_pinned_pages+0x3a/0x2d0 unpin_user_pages+0x24/0xe0 check_and_migrate_movable_pages_or_folios+0x455/0x4b0 __gup_longterm_locked+0x3bf/0x820 ? mmap_read_lock_killable+0x12/0x50 ? __pfx_mmap_read_lock_killable+0x10/0x10 pin_user_pages+0x66/0xa0 gup_test_ioctl+0x358/0xb20 __se_sys_ioctl+0x6b/0xc0 do_syscall_64+0x7b/0x150 entry_SYSCALL_64_after_hwframe+0x76/0x7e

Package Linux Kernel
Published 2024-12-27
Last modified 2025-10-01
CVSS version 3.1
Patch available
Yes

CVSS 3.1 score

5.5

out of 10
Medium
Attack Vector
Local
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
Low
User Interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
Low
Integrity
None
Availability
High
Vector string
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

Weakness type

CWE-476

CVE-2024-56612 is a NULL Pointer Dereference vulnerability

What is NULL Pointer Dereference?

The product dereferences a pointer that it expects to be valid but is NULL, typically causing a crash. Learn more on MITRE CWE

Affected versions

Linux kernel versions 6.12 and later are affected. Fixed in 6.12.5, 6.13 and their respective stable series.

Affected from
≥ 6.12
Fixed in
✓ 6.12.5 6.12.x ✓ 6.13

References

The following references provide additional information about CVE-2024-56612 including vendor advisories, patch commits, exploit details, and third-party analysis. Links are sourced from the NIST NVD database.

Frequently asked questions

  • What is CVE-2024-56612?

    CVE-2024-56612 is a Medium severity Linux kernel vulnerability with a CVSS score of 5.5 out of 10 , classified as a NULL Pointer Dereference flaw (CWE-476) . It affects Linux kernel versions from 6.12 onward and has been patched in 6.12.5 and 6.13. CVE-2024-56612 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

  • What is the CVSS score for CVE-2024-56612?

    CVE-2024-56612 has a CVSS score of 5.5 out of 10, rated Medium severity (CVSS 3.1). The vector string is CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H .

  • Is there a patch available for CVE-2024-56612?

    Yes — CVE-2024-56612 has been patched. Fixed versions include 6.12.5 and 6.13. If you are running Linux kernel 6.12 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.

  • Is CVE-2024-56612 actively exploited?

    No — CVE-2024-56612 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.

  • What is NULL Pointer Dereference (CWE-476)?

    The product dereferences a pointer that it expects to be valid but is NULL, typically causing a crash. View CWE-476 on MITRE CWE →