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PatchSiren cyber security CVE debrief

CVE-2024-38547 Siemens CVE debrief

A null-pointer dereference vulnerability exists in the Intel AtomISP (Image Signal Processor) media driver, specifically within the `load_video_binaries` function in `ssh_css`. This flaw can be triggered when processing video firmware binaries, leading to a kernel crash and denial of service. The vulnerability affects the GNU/Linux subsystem of Siemens SIMATIC S7-1500 TM MFP industrial control systems. With a CVSS 3.1 score of 4.4 (Medium), this vulnerability requires local access and high privileges to exploit, limiting its attack surface but still posing a risk to system availability in industrial environments.

Vendor
Siemens
Product
SIMATIC S7-1500 TM MFP - GNU/Linux subsystem
CVSS
MEDIUM 4.4
CISA KEV
Not listed in stored evidence
Original CVE published
2024-04-09
Original CVE updated
2026-05-14
Advisory published
2024-04-09
Advisory updated
2026-05-14

Who should care

Industrial control system operators using Siemens SIMATIC S7-1500 TM MFP with the GNU/Linux subsystem enabled; security teams managing OT/ICS environments; Linux kernel maintainers for embedded/industrial systems; compliance officers tracking CVE remediation in critical infrastructure

Technical summary

The vulnerability exists in the `load_video_binaries` function within the Intel AtomISP (atomisp) media driver, a component of the Linux kernel's video4linux subsystem. A null-pointer dereference occurs when the driver attempts to process video firmware binaries without proper validation of pointer references. This results in a kernel oops or panic, causing system unavailability. The vulnerability is classified as CWE-20 (Improper Input Validation). On affected Siemens SIMATIC S7-1500 TM MFP systems, exploitation requires local access with administrative privileges to the GNU/Linux subsystem, making this primarily an insider threat or post-compromise concern. No patch is currently available per vendor advisory.

Defensive priority

medium

Recommended defensive actions

  • Restrict interactive shell access to the GNU/Linux subsystem to trusted personnel only
  • Build and run applications exclusively from trusted sources
  • Monitor for kernel crashes or unexpected system reboots in affected industrial systems
  • Apply vendor patches when Siemens releases firmware updates addressing this vulnerability
  • Implement network segmentation to limit access to affected industrial control systems

Evidence notes

The vulnerability is documented in CISA ICS Advisory ICSA-24-102-01, which references Siemens Security Advisory SSA-265688. The source advisory indicates this is a Linux kernel media subsystem vulnerability affecting the atomisp driver. The CVSS vector (AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H) confirms local attack vector with high privilege requirements, resulting in high availability impact only.

Sources and references

Verified primary and authoritative sources

  • CVE-2024-38547 CVE Program record

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2024-38547

    CVE Program - Official CVE Program record with source-provided CVE metadata.

  • CVE-2024-38547 NVD vulnerability detail

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-38547

    NIST National Vulnerability Database - Official NIST NVD detail page and source-specific vulnerability assessment.

Supplemental references

  • Source item URL

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/cisagov/CSAF/develop/csaf_files/OT/white/2024/icsa-24-102-01.json

    cisa_csaf

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/csaf/ssa-265688.json

    Reference

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/html/ssa-265688.html

    Reference

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/ics-advisories/icsa-24-102-01

    Reference

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/ics-alerts/ics-alert-10-301-01

    Reference

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://www.cisa.gov/resources-tools/resources/ics-recommended-practices

    Reference

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://www.cisa.gov/topics/industrial-control-systems

    Reference

  • Source reference

    Unverified legacy reference

    URL: https://www.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/recommended_practices/NCCIC_ICS-CERT_Defense_in_Depth_2016_S508C.pdf

    Reference

Methodology and review provenance

AI-assisted synthesis based on stored public vulnerability evidence. System validation, approval state, and publication status do not by themselves establish human review of this revision. PatchSiren helps prioritize defensive review and does not prove exposure or remediation on any system.