CVE-2024-4610: Arm Bifrost GPU Use After Free Vulnerability

CVE-2024-4610 Overview

Use After Free vulnerability in Arm Ltd Bifrost GPU Kernel Driver, Arm Ltd Valhall GPU Kernel Driver allows a local non-privileged user to make improper GPU memory processing operations to gain access to already freed memory.

Critical Impact
This vulnerability can potentially allow local attackers to access sensitive information and execute arbitrary code by exploiting already freed memory.

Affected Products

Arm Bifrost GPU Kernel Driver r34p0 to r40p0
Arm Valhall GPU Kernel Driver r34p0 to r40p0

Discovery Timeline

Not Available - Vulnerability discovered by Not Available
Not Available - Responsible disclosure to Arm
Not Available - CVE CVE-2024-4610 assigned
Not Available - Arm releases security patch
2024-06-07 - CVE CVE-2024-4610 published to NVD
2025-10-23 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2024-4610

Vulnerability Analysis

The Use After Free issue resides in the memory handling of the Arm Bifrost and Valhall GPU drivers. Improper deallocation and subsequent processing of GPU memory can allow local attackers and potentially lead to unauthorized memory access and arbitrary code execution.

Root Cause

The vulnerability is rooted in the incorrect management of GPU memory during deallocation, resulting in access to memory that has already been freed.

Attack Vector

Local attackers with non-privileged access can leverage this vulnerability to manipulate GPU memory processing operations and access freed memory.

// Example exploitation code (sanitized)
int main() {
    // Allocate memory
    char *buffer = malloc(64);
    // Use and free the memory
    free(buffer);
    // Improper use after free
    strcpy(buffer, "exploit");
    return 0;
}

Detection Methods for CVE-2024-4610

Indicators of Compromise

Unusual memory access patterns in GPU logs
Errors or crashes related to GPU memory operations
Unexpected usage of GPU resources

Detection Strategies

Continuous monitoring of GPU operations can reveal anomalies indicative of use-after-free exploitation. Behavioral analysis of running processes may also help in identifying suspicious activities related to memory mismanagement.

Monitoring Recommendations

Set up alerts for abnormal GPU usage and patterns of memory deallocation/re-allocation. Use SentinelOne's advanced behavioral AI to detect potential indicators of exploitation such as unexplained system crashes or memory access violations.

How to Mitigate CVE-2024-4610

Immediate Actions Required

Update to the latest patched version of Arm GPU drivers
Monitor systems for unusual memory behavior post patching
Restrict local access and ensure minimal privilege operations

Patch Information

Visit Arm’s advisory page for detailed patch information and ensure that all affected systems are updated with the latest security patches: Arm Security Center

Workarounds

While a patch is being deployed, consider restricting execution of affected drivers and monitor for anomalies in GPU operations using available EDR tools.

bash

# Configuration example to monitor GPU memory usage
watch -n 1 "cat /proc/meminfo | grep -i gpu"