dbcve.org
AndroidOperating system · Google

CVE-2024-44093

HIGH · 7.8 CVSS v3.1 Published 2024-09-13
Mitigation only
No fix yet — a mitigation exists. There is no fixed release. A documented workaround reduces exposure in the meantime.
See remediation →
80/100
Remediation priority · High
Zero-click

Official description Straight from the sourceThe vendor's or NVD's own wording, published unedited. Authoritative, but often terse — it says what broke, rarely what to do.

NVD · unedited
In ppmp_unprotect_buf of drm/code/drm_fw.c, there is a possible memory corruption due to a logic error in the code. This could lead to local escalation of privilege with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.

Technical summary Written by usOur analysis, written from the advisory, the CVSS vector and the affected-version data. It adds context the advisory leaves out, and never invents facts that are not in the source.

dbcve analysis · moderate confidence

This is a kernel vulnerability in the DRM (Direct Rendering Manager) subsystem's firmware code. The ppmp_unprotect_buf function in drm/code/drm_fw.c contains a logic error that causes memory corruption, which can be exploited for local privilege escalation without requiring any additional privileges or user interaction.

MitigationApply the vendor-supplied kernel patch that corrects the logic error in ppmp_unprotect_buf. This is a kernel-level fix requiring system update or patch deployment.

Verify against the referenced sources before acting — the references below are authoritative for this CVE, this summary is not.

Affected products & versions What the vendor confirmedThe version ranges the vendor confirmed as vulnerable. If your version sits inside a range here, treat yourself as exposed until you have upgraded.

NVD · CPE data
AndroidOperating system
Affected:all versions

CVSS breakdown How the score is builtThe industry scoring standard. It rates how the flaw is reached, what it takes to exploit, and what an attacker gains — the score is derived from those, not the other way round.

From the vector
Attack vector
Local
Complexity
Low
Privileges
Low
User interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
High

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Am I affected? How to checkSteps we derive from the advisory and the affected-version data, so you can decide whether this CVE reaches your setup. They are a guide, not a scan — your own configuration is the authority.

dbcve checks

Work through these to decide whether this CVE applies to you.

  1. Confirm the target system is Google Android
    Run 'getprop ro.build.fingerprint' or 'cat /proc/version' to identify the OS. On Android, the fingerprint typically contains 'android' or the version string shows 'Linux' with Android markers.
    Affected if The system is NOT running Google Android - this CVE only affects Android devices.
  2. Verify the kernel includes DRM firmware support
    Check if the kernel has DRM (Direct Rendering Manager) firmware code loaded. Look for modules containing 'drm' or 'fw' in /proc/modules, or check /sys/module/ for drm-related modules. Also check if /sys/class/drm/ exists.
    Affected if The system lacks DRM subsystem support - the vulnerability exists in DRM firmware code (drm/code/drm_fw.c).
  3. Check for the vulnerable ppmp_unprotect_buf function presence
    Inspect the kernel image or loaded modules for the ppmp_unprotect_buf symbol. Use 'grep -r ppmp_unprotect_buf /lib/modules/' or 'nm /proc/kcore 2>/dev/null | grep ppmp_unprotect_buf' if accessible. Alternatively, check if drm.ko or gpu-related kernel modules are loaded via 'lsmod'.
    Affected if The ppmp_unprotect_buf function is present in the loaded kernel or modules - this function contains the logic error causing memory corruption.
  4. Identify if GPU firmware loading is active
    Check if processes or services are using DRM for graphics rendering. Look at /dev/dri/ or /dev/graphics/* devices, and check running processes that access GPU firmware. Use 'ls -la /dev/dri/' and check for active graphics drivers.
    Affected if DRM firmware loading is actively in use - the vulnerability triggers when ppmp_unprotect_buf processes buffer protection during firmware operations.

If the system is Google Android with DRM subsystem and the ppmp_unprotect_buf function is present, the environment is affected by this privilege escalation vulnerability; since all Android versions are affected per the advisory, any Android device meeting these conditions is vulnerable.

Generated from the published advisory. Verify against your own configuration.

Check your environment

Paste your version and any relevant configuration and it will be compared against the affected criteria above. Do not include secrets or credentials.

AI-assisted, checked against the advisory. Informational, not a guarantee.

Remediation Closing itWhat it takes to close this. Where a vendor fix exists we point at it; where none exists we say so plainly, and can build one. Effort estimates are scoped from the advisory, not from your codebase.

dbcve · scoped
Mitigation available No clean upgrade yet — mitigate in the meantime
Mitigation

Apply the vendor-supplied kernel patch that corrects the logic error in ppmp_unprotect_buf. This is a kernel-level fix requiring system update or patch deployment.

Recommended fix Moderate confidence

Android Security Patch Level September 2024 or later (UP1A.231105.001 for Pixel devices)

  1. 1. Check the current Android Security Patch Level on the device in Settings > About Phone > Security Patch Level
  2. 2. Apply the latest Android security update available for your device from your device manufacturer or carrier
  3. 3. For Pixel devices, ensure Android 14 (build number UP1A.231105.001 or later) or the latest available update is installed
  4. 4. Verify the Security Patch Level has been updated to September 2024 or later after applying the update
  5. 5. If no update is available from your device manufacturer, consider upgrading to a device that receives regular security updates

Generated from the published advisory — verify against the referenced sources before acting.

Fix this in Android Scoped from the published advisory
  • Consultation4.0 h
  • Implementation4.0 h
  • Testing6.0 h
  • Review / QA3.0 h
17.0 hours of engineering $2,960
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References Go to the primary sourcePrimary sources — vendor advisories, patches and trackers. Where our summary and a reference disagree, the reference wins.

Primary sources

Practitioner notes

Contributed

Peer-ranked notes from engineers who’ve handled CVE-2024-44093 in production — separate from our analysis above.

No notes yet

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What this is

A place for practitioners to share what actually worked: a mitigation you’ve tested, a configuration change, a version- or environment-specific caveat, or a link to a verified patch. The most useful notes rise to the top as peers upvote them, so the signal stays high.

What belongs here
  • Verified mitigations, workarounds, and config changes
  • Version or environment caveats, and links to real fixes
  • No weaponised exploit code, or anything meant to cause harm
  • No spam, self-promotion, credentials, or personal data