CVE-2020-36782 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel specifically related to the i2c subsystem implementation for the imx-lpi2c driver. The issue arises from improper handling of the power management (PM) runtime reference count within the function lpi2c_imx_master_enable. Normally, the PM reference count should only be incremented when the pm_runtime_get_sync function succeeds. However, in this case, pm_runtime_get_sync increments the PM reference count even when it fails, leading to a reference leak because the code does not properly decrement or balance the usage counter upon failure. This imbalance can cause resource leaks and potentially lead to degraded system stability or unexpected behavior in power management. The fix involves replacing pm_runtime_get_sync with pm_runtime_resume_and_get, which ensures the usage counter remains balanced by only incrementing the reference count when appropriate. This vulnerability is specific to certain versions of the Linux kernel source code identified by the commit hash 13d6eb20fc79a1e606307256dad4098375539a09. There are no known exploits in the wild at this time, and no CVSS score has been assigned yet. The vulnerability is technical and subtle, affecting kernel power management internals rather than user-facing features or network services.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability is primarily related to system stability and reliability rather than direct compromise of confidentiality or integrity. Systems running affected Linux kernel versions with the imx-lpi2c driver could experience resource leaks that degrade performance or cause unexpected failures in power management, potentially leading to system crashes or reduced uptime. This is particularly relevant for embedded systems, industrial control systems, or IoT devices using imx-lpi2c hardware interfaces, which are common in manufacturing, automotive, and telecommunications sectors across Europe. While the vulnerability does not directly enable remote code execution or privilege escalation, prolonged resource leaks could be leveraged in complex attack chains or cause denial of service conditions. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk, but organizations relying on affected Linux kernel versions should consider the potential for stability issues and plan timely patching to maintain operational continuity.

European organizations should take the following specific mitigation steps: 1) Identify all systems running Linux kernels with the affected imx-lpi2c driver versions, especially embedded and IoT devices using NXP i.MX processors or similar hardware. 2) Apply the official Linux kernel patches that replace pm_runtime_get_sync with pm_runtime_resume_and_get in the lpi2c_imx_master_enable function as soon as they become available from trusted sources or Linux distributions. 3) For devices where kernel updates are not immediately feasible, monitor system logs and power management metrics for signs of resource leaks or abnormal behavior related to the i2c subsystem. 4) Implement rigorous testing of updated kernels in staging environments to ensure stability before wide deployment. 5) Maintain an inventory of embedded devices and coordinate with hardware vendors to receive firmware or kernel updates addressing this vulnerability. 6) Employ runtime monitoring tools that can detect anomalies in power management reference counts or resource usage to proactively identify issues stemming from this vulnerability. These steps go beyond generic patching advice by emphasizing embedded device inventory, vendor coordination, and runtime anomaly detection tailored to this specific kernel subsystem issue.