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CVE Record

CVE-2024-40973: media: mtk-vcodec: potential null pointer deference in SCP

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: media: mtk-vcodec: potential null pointer deference in SCP The return value of devm_kzalloc() needs to be checked to avoid NULL pointer deference. This is similar to CVE-2022-3113.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysisunknown

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

A Linux MediaTek video-codec driver may fail to handle a memory-allocation error, leading to a NULL pointer dereference. The available sources do not quantify impact, but affected systems could experience kernel or media-processing disruption. This is primarily relevant to devices using the MediaTek video-codec SCP path, not automatically every Linux host.

Executive priority

Use targeted, timely remediation rather than declaring an organization-wide emergency. Require teams to identify MediaTek-based devices, obtain vendor-confirmed fixed kernels, and patch within normal kernel-maintenance timelines. Escalate priority if the affected driver is broadly deployed, systems are availability-critical, or subsequent vendor guidance establishes greater severity or exploitation.

Technical view

The mtk-vcodec SCP code did not check the return value of devm_kzalloc() before using it. If allocation returns NULL, subsequent dereferencing can trigger a kernel fault. Multiple Linux stable commits address the issue by adding the required failure check. The supplied affected-version data is insufficiently precise for reliable range-based identification.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most plausible on Linux systems containing and using MediaTek mtk-vcodec with SCP support. Generic servers and endpoints without that hardware or driver path are less likely to be exposed. The bundle lists affected kernel versions, but its flattened version data is ambiguous; confirm status through distribution or device-vendor advisories.

Exploitation context

CVE-2024-40973 is not listed in KEV, and none of the supplied sources reports active exploitation or a public exploit. The bundle provides no CVSS score, attack prerequisites, privilege requirements, or demonstrated impact beyond the potential NULL pointer dereference. Exploitability and external reachability therefore remain unconfirmed.

Researcher notes

The root cause and correction direction are clear, but severity and exploitability are not. The description compares the flaw with CVE-2022-3113 without establishing identical impact. Treat that comparison as context only. Researchers should inspect the referenced stable changes and vendor backports when determining whether a particular kernel build contains the fix.

Mitigation direction

  • Install a supported vendor kernel update containing the referenced Linux stable fix.
  • Reboot affected systems into the updated kernel and confirm the running version.
  • If updates are unavailable, consult the distribution or device vendor for supported mitigation guidance.
  • Prioritize devices that actively use MediaTek video encoding or decoding capabilities.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory systems for MediaTek mtk-vcodec and SCP support.
  • Compare installed kernel builds with vendor advisories and the referenced fixed commits.
  • Confirm the patched kernel is running after reboot, not merely installed.
  • Review kernel diagnostics for faults associated with mtk-vcodec or SCP memory allocation.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
9

Public sources used

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

These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.

ATT&CK lookup starting points

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CVE-2024-40973 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Unknown
CVSS
Not scored
Known Exploited
No
Published
Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

0CVSS vectors
3Timeline events
2ADP providers
8Source links

SSVC decision data

CISA-ADPCISA Coordinator
Timestamp
Version
2.0.3
Exploitation: noneAutomatable: noTechnical Impact: partial

Vulnerability timeline

Timeline events are normalized from CVE metadata, CNA source timelines, ADP timelines, and KEV metadata when present.

  1. CVE reservedCVE Program

    The CVE ID was reserved by the assigning CNA.

  2. CVE publishedCVE Program

    The CVE record was published.

  3. CVE updatedCVE Program

    The CVE record metadata indicates this as the latest update time.

ADP provider summaries

CVECVE Program Container
CISA-ADPCISA ADP Vulnrichment
other:ssvc

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinux590577a4e5257ac3ed72999a94666ad6ba8f24bc, 590577a4e5257ac3ed72999a94666ad6ba8f24bc, 590577a4e5257ac3ed72999a94666ad6ba8f24bc, 590577a4e5257ac3ed72999a94666ad6ba8f24bc, 590577a4e5257ac3ed72999a94666ad6ba8f24bc, 590577a4e5257ac3ed72999a94666ad6ba8f24bcunaffected
LinuxLinux4.10, 0, 5.10.266, 5.15.217, 6.1.130, 6.6.36, 6.9.7, 6.10affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.