CVE-2021-47415 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel's iwlwifi driver, specifically within the mvm (mac80211-based) component responsible for managing Intel wireless devices. The flaw arises in the function __iwl_mvm_remove_time_event(), where the code fails to properly check if the pointer 'te_data->vif' is NULL before dereferencing it. This can lead to a NULL pointer dereference, causing a kernel crash or system instability. The vulnerability is a classic example of insufficient validation of pointers before use, which in kernel space can result in denial of service (DoS) conditions due to system panics or reboots. The issue has been addressed by adding a check to ensure 'te_data->vif' is not NULL before dereferencing, thereby preventing the NULL pointer dereference. The affected versions are identified by specific commit hashes, indicating the vulnerability exists in certain Linux kernel builds prior to the patch. There are no known exploits in the wild at the time of publication, and no CVSS score has been assigned yet. The vulnerability is limited to systems running Linux kernels with the vulnerable iwlwifi driver version and using Intel wireless hardware managed by this driver.

For European organizations, the primary impact of this vulnerability is the potential for denial of service on Linux systems using affected Intel wireless drivers. This could disrupt network connectivity, leading to loss of availability of critical services, especially in environments relying on wireless connections for operational continuity. Systems such as laptops, embedded devices, or servers with Intel wireless chips running vulnerable kernel versions could experience unexpected crashes or reboots, impacting productivity and service reliability. While the vulnerability does not appear to allow privilege escalation or remote code execution, the resulting instability could be exploited in targeted attacks to cause disruption. Organizations with large deployments of Linux-based infrastructure, particularly those in sectors like telecommunications, finance, and critical infrastructure in Europe, could face operational risks if systems are not patched promptly. The lack of known exploits reduces immediate risk, but the presence of a kernel-level flaw warrants timely remediation to prevent potential future exploitation or accidental outages.

European organizations should prioritize updating their Linux kernels to versions where this vulnerability is patched. Specifically, applying the latest stable kernel releases or vendor-provided security updates that include the fix for CVE-2021-47415 is essential. System administrators should audit their environments to identify devices using Intel wireless hardware with the iwlwifi driver and verify kernel versions. For environments where immediate patching is not feasible, temporary mitigations include disabling the affected wireless interfaces or using alternative network adapters until updates can be applied. Additionally, monitoring system logs for kernel crashes or unusual wireless driver errors can help detect attempts to trigger the vulnerability. Organizations should also ensure robust backup and recovery procedures are in place to minimize downtime in case of system crashes. Coordination with hardware vendors and Linux distribution maintainers will facilitate timely deployment of patches and security advisories.