CVE-2024-36320 Overview
CVE-2024-36320 is an Integer Overflow vulnerability within the AMD atihdwt6.sys driver that can allow a local attacker to cause out-of-bounds read/write operations, potentially leading to loss of confidentiality, integrity, and availability. This driver vulnerability (CWE-190) affects AMD audio hardware components and poses a significant risk to systems running affected driver versions.
Critical Impact
Local attackers can exploit this integer overflow to perform unauthorized memory access, potentially leading to privilege escalation, information disclosure, or system instability.
Affected Products
- AMD Audio Driver (atihdwt6.sys)
- Systems with AMD audio hardware components
- Windows systems running vulnerable AMD driver versions
Discovery Timeline
- 2026-02-11 - CVE CVE-2024-36320 published to NVD
- 2026-02-11 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-36320
Vulnerability Analysis
This vulnerability exists within the atihdwt6.sys kernel-mode driver, which handles AMD High Definition Audio functionality on Windows systems. The integer overflow condition occurs when the driver processes user-supplied input without proper bounds checking. When an arithmetic operation results in a value that exceeds the maximum size of the integer type, the value wraps around, leading to an unexpectedly small allocation or incorrect buffer calculations.
The consequence of this integer overflow is that subsequent memory operations can read or write outside the intended buffer boundaries. Since this is a kernel-mode driver, successful exploitation could allow an attacker with local access to read sensitive kernel memory, corrupt kernel data structures, or potentially achieve local privilege escalation to SYSTEM level.
Root Cause
The root cause is classified as CWE-190 (Integer Overflow or Wraparound). The atihdwt6.sys driver fails to properly validate the size or count of elements before performing arithmetic operations that determine memory allocation sizes or buffer boundaries. When the calculation overflows, a smaller-than-expected buffer is allocated, but subsequent operations use the original (pre-overflow) size values, resulting in out-of-bounds memory access.
Attack Vector
This vulnerability requires local access to the target system to exploit. An attacker would need to execute malicious code on the system that interacts with the vulnerable driver through I/O control requests or other driver interfaces. The attacker does not require administrative privileges to trigger the vulnerability, though successful exploitation could potentially elevate privileges.
The exploitation scenario involves crafting input values that cause the integer overflow during buffer size calculations within the driver. When the driver allocates memory based on the wrapped value but processes data using the original larger value, out-of-bounds read or write operations occur in kernel memory space.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-36320
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected system crashes (BSOD) related to atihdwt6.sys driver
- Anomalous I/O control requests targeting AMD audio driver interfaces
- Unusual memory access patterns or allocation failures in kernel space
- Suspicious processes interacting with audio driver components
Detection Strategies
- Monitor for unusual IOCTL calls to AMD audio driver device objects
- Implement kernel-level monitoring for out-of-bounds memory access patterns
- Deploy endpoint detection solutions that can identify driver exploitation attempts
- Enable Windows Driver Verifier for enhanced driver behavior monitoring
Monitoring Recommendations
- Review system event logs for driver-related errors or crashes involving atihdwt6.sys
- Implement SentinelOne Singularity platform for real-time kernel-level threat detection
- Monitor for privilege escalation attempts following audio driver interactions
- Enable audit logging for device driver communications
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-36320
Immediate Actions Required
- Review AMD Security Bulletin AMD-SB-6024 for affected versions and patches
- Update AMD audio drivers to the latest patched version from AMD's official download site
- Restrict local access to systems with vulnerable drivers until patching is complete
- Enable SentinelOne protection to detect and prevent exploitation attempts
Patch Information
AMD has released security updates to address this vulnerability. System administrators should consult the AMD Security Bulletin AMD-SB-6024 for specific patch information and download the updated atihdwt6.sys driver from AMD's official support website. Ensure that driver updates are validated through proper code signing verification before deployment.
Workarounds
- Limit local access to affected systems to trusted users only
- Implement application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized code execution
- Consider temporarily disabling AMD HD Audio features if not required for business operations
- Deploy additional endpoint monitoring to detect exploitation attempts before patches are applied
# Verify current AMD audio driver version on Windows
pnputil /enum-drivers | findstr /i "atihdwt6"
# Check driver file version
wmic datafile where name="C:\\Windows\\System32\\drivers\\atihdwt6.sys" get version
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
