CVE-2021-47059 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel, specifically within the crypto subsystem related to the sun8i-ss driver. The issue is a memory leak occurring on an error path, meaning that when certain error conditions are encountered during cryptographic operations handled by the sun8i-ss driver, allocated memory is not properly freed. This can lead to gradual memory consumption over time, potentially degrading system performance or causing resource exhaustion. The sun8i-ss driver is typically associated with cryptographic hardware accelerators found in some ARM-based SoCs, particularly those used in embedded systems. While the vulnerability does not directly allow code execution or privilege escalation, the memory leak could be exploited in a denial-of-service (DoS) scenario if an attacker can repeatedly trigger the error path, causing the system to run out of memory or crash. The patch for this vulnerability fixes the memory leak by ensuring that allocated memory is correctly released even when errors occur. There are no known exploits in the wild at the time of publication, and no CVSS score has been assigned. The affected versions are identified by a specific commit hash, indicating that the issue is present in certain Linux kernel builds prior to the patch. Overall, this vulnerability represents a resource management flaw in a specialized kernel driver component.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2021-47059 depends largely on the deployment of Linux systems utilizing the sun8i-ss cryptographic driver. This driver is primarily found in embedded devices and ARM-based platforms, which may be used in industrial control systems, IoT devices, or specialized hardware within enterprise environments. If exploited, the memory leak could lead to degraded system performance or denial of service, potentially disrupting critical services or operations. While the vulnerability does not directly compromise confidentiality or integrity, availability could be affected, especially in environments where continuous uptime is essential. Organizations relying on embedded Linux devices for security functions or cryptographic operations might experience operational interruptions. However, since there are no known active exploits and the vulnerability requires triggering specific error conditions, the immediate risk is moderate. Nonetheless, failure to patch could leave systems vulnerable to future exploitation attempts aiming to cause service disruption.

To mitigate CVE-2021-47059, European organizations should: 1) Identify all Linux systems and embedded devices running kernels with the affected sun8i-ss driver, particularly those based on ARM architectures common in IoT and industrial devices. 2) Apply the official Linux kernel patch that fixes the memory leak as soon as possible, ensuring that all affected systems are updated to a kernel version including this fix. 3) For devices where kernel updates are not straightforward, consider vendor firmware updates or workarounds that disable or limit the use of the sun8i-ss driver if cryptographic acceleration is not critical. 4) Monitor system logs and resource usage for unusual memory consumption patterns that could indicate attempts to exploit the memory leak. 5) Implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of vulnerable embedded devices to untrusted networks, reducing the likelihood of exploitation attempts. 6) Engage with device vendors to confirm patch availability and deployment timelines for embedded products. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on the specific driver and device types affected, emphasizing proactive identification and patch management in embedded and ARM-based Linux environments.