CVE-2024-27047: net: phy: fix phy_get_internal_delay accessing an empty array
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
net: phy: fix phy_get_internal_delay accessing an empty array
The phy_get_internal_delay function could try to access to an empty
array in the case that the driver is calling phy_get_internal_delay
without defining delay_values and rx-internal-delay-ps or
tx-internal-delay-ps is defined to 0 in the device-tree.
This will lead to "unable to handle kernel NULL pointer dereference at
virtual address 0". To avoid this kernel oops, the test should be delay
>= 0. As there is already delay < 0 test just before, the test could
only be size == 0.
Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This Linux kernel issue can crash affected systems when certain Ethernet PHY configuration data is present but the driver lacks matching delay values. The source describes a kernel NULL pointer dereference, not data theft or remote code execution. Business urgency is mainly availability risk on systems using impacted kernels and relevant network hardware/device-tree settings.
Executive priority
Treat as a targeted availability and reliability issue, not an internet-wide emergency based on current evidence. Prioritize embedded, operational, and vendor-managed systems where a kernel crash could disrupt service or physical operations.
Technical view
phy_get_internal_delay could access an empty delay_values array when rx-internal-delay-ps or tx-internal-delay-ps is set to 0 in device tree and the driver did not define delay_values. The failure results in a kernel oops. Upstream stable commits correct the size check logic.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely on Linux systems, especially embedded or appliance-style deployments, using affected kernel ranges and Ethernet PHY drivers with the described device-tree delay properties. Generic Linux presence alone is not enough to prove exposure.
Exploitation context
The provided sources do not show active exploitation, and CISA KEV status is false. The described impact is a kernel crash condition triggered by specific configuration and driver behavior. No public source in the bundle supports remote exploitation or privilege escalation.
Researcher notes
Severity metadata, CVSS, and CWE are absent from the bundle. The root condition is narrow: driver calls phy_get_internal_delay without delay_values while the device tree supplies zero internal delay. Analysis should focus on kernel branch, backport status, hardware PHY driver, and device-tree configuration.
Mitigation direction
Apply a vendor kernel update that includes the referenced upstream stable fixes.
For Debian systems, review the Debian LTS advisory and install applicable kernel packages.
For Siemens products, follow Siemens SSA-265688 product-specific guidance.
If no vendor package is available, confirm whether the relevant stable commit is backported.
Avoid changing device-tree PHY delay settings without vendor validation.
Validation and detection
Inventory Linux kernel versions across affected servers, appliances, and embedded systems.
Check whether deployed device trees define rx-internal-delay-ps or tx-internal-delay-ps as 0.
Confirm whether the running kernel contains one of the referenced stable fixes.
Review boot and kernel logs for NULL pointer dereference or PHY initialization oops messages.
Test network initialization after patching on representative hardware.
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Potential ATT&CK relevance
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
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