CVE-2024-21972 is a medium severity vulnerability classified as CWE-787 (Out-of-bounds Write) found in the AMD Radeon user mode driver component of AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition, specifically affecting DirectX 11 functionality. The vulnerability arises from improper bounds checking when processing shader code, allowing an attacker who can supply a malformed shader to perform an out-of-bounds write operation. This memory corruption can lead to arbitrary code execution within the context of the user mode driver. Exploitation requires local access with low privileges (AV:L, PR:L), but no user interaction is needed (UI:N). The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability, as arbitrary code execution could lead to privilege escalation or system compromise. No patches or exploits are currently publicly available, but the risk remains significant due to the potential for local attackers to leverage this flaw. The vulnerability affects all versions of AMD Software: Adrenalin Edition prior to the patch release. The issue is particularly relevant for environments where untrusted users or processes can submit shaders, such as shared workstations or virtualized environments using GPU passthrough. The lack of known exploits in the wild suggests limited current exploitation but does not eliminate future risk. The vulnerability's medium CVSS score reflects the balance between the requirement for local access and the potential impact of arbitrary code execution.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily in environments where AMD GPUs are used extensively, such as in graphics-intensive applications, scientific computing, and virtual desktop infrastructure. An attacker with local access could exploit this flaw to execute arbitrary code, potentially leading to data breaches, disruption of services, or lateral movement within networks. Confidentiality could be compromised if sensitive data is accessed or exfiltrated. Integrity could be affected if attackers modify system or application data. Availability could be impacted through system crashes or denial of service caused by exploitation attempts. Organizations with shared computing resources or multi-user systems are at higher risk, as untrusted users might submit malicious shaders. The absence of known exploits currently reduces immediate threat but vigilance is necessary. The medium severity suggests that while the vulnerability is serious, it is not trivial to exploit remotely or without local access, limiting its impact to scenarios involving insider threats or compromised local accounts.

1. Monitor AMD's official channels for patches addressing CVE-2024-21972 and apply updates promptly once available. 2. Restrict local user permissions to prevent untrusted users from submitting or compiling shaders, especially in shared or multi-user environments. 3. Implement strict access controls on systems with AMD GPUs to limit local access to trusted personnel only. 4. Employ application whitelisting and behavior monitoring to detect anomalous shader compilation or execution activities. 5. Use virtualization or containerization to isolate GPU workloads where feasible, reducing the risk of local privilege escalation. 6. Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability assessments focusing on GPU drivers and related software components. 7. Educate users and administrators about the risks of running untrusted code or shaders on systems with AMD GPUs. 8. Consider disabling DirectX 11 features or AMD Radeon user mode driver components if not required, as a temporary mitigation until patches are applied.