CVE-2024-56538

Kernel memory corruption via post-removal DRM access

Published Dec 27, 2024 · Updated Aug 5, 2026

Use-after-free in the Linux kernel's ZynqMP DRM cleanup path allows local users to corrupt kernel memory through post-removal device access. The zynqmp_dpsub_drm_cleanup() function calls drm_dev_unregister() instead of drm_dev_unplug(), so open userspace handles can continue entering driver internals after teardown frees their resources. Exploitation requires local access to the ZynqMP DRM device during device removal, and stale accesses can crash or hang the system.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.27%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Use-after-free in the Linux kernel's ZynqMP DRM cleanup path allows local users to corrupt kernel memory through post-removal device access. The zynqmp_dpsub_drm_cleanup() function calls drm_dev_unregister() instead of drm_dev_unplug(), so open userspace handles can continue entering driver internals after teardown frees their resources. Exploitation requires local access to the ZynqMP DRM device during device removal, and stale accesses can crash or hang the system.

The record

CVE
CVE-2024-56538
Published
Dec 27, 2024
Updated
Aug 5, 2026
Vendor
The Linux Kernel Organization
Product
Linux
Classifications
CWE-416, T1499
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Dec 27, 2024CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 5, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=5.9
  2. Affected versionversion=d76271d22694e874ed70791702db9252ffe96a4c <2e07c88914fc5289c21820b1aa94f058feb38197
  3. Affected versionversion=d76271d22694e874ed70791702db9252ffe96a4c <4fb97432e28a7e136b2d76135d50e988ada8e1af
  4. Affected versionversion=d76271d22694e874ed70791702db9252ffe96a4c <692f52aedccbf79b212a1e14e3735192b4c24a7d
  5. Affected versionversion=d76271d22694e874ed70791702db9252ffe96a4c <a17b9afe58c474657449cf87e238b1788200576b

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

The Linux Kernel Organization · Linuxversion=5.9; version=d76271d22694e874ed70791702db9252ffe96a4c <2e07c88914fc5289c21820b1aa94f058feb38197; version=d76271d22694e874ed70791702db9252ffe96a4c <4fb97432e28a7e136b2d76135d50e988ada8e1af; version=d76271d22694e874ed70791702db9252ffe96a4c <692f52aedccbf79b212a1e14e3735192b4c24a7d; version=d76271d22694e874ed70791702db9252ffe96a4c <a17b9afe58c474657449cf87e238b1788200576b

Published CVSS scores

7.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

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No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-416Use After Free
T1499Endpoint Denial of Service

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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