CVE-2021-47529 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel's iwlwifi driver, which is responsible for Intel wireless network interface cards. The issue pertains to a memory leak occurring in the error handling path within the 'reduce_power_data' function. Specifically, when an error such as an invalid TLV (Type-Length-Value) length or a memory allocation failure occurs, the memory that has already been allocated is not properly freed before the function returns. This results in a memory leak, which, while not directly exploitable for code execution or privilege escalation, can degrade system performance or stability over time due to resource exhaustion. The vulnerability was addressed by ensuring that allocated memory is freed appropriately in all error paths. The affected versions are identified by a specific commit hash, indicating this is a recent fix in the Linux kernel source. No known exploits are reported in the wild, and no CVSS score has been assigned yet. The vulnerability is primarily a reliability and resource management issue within the wireless driver subsystem of the Linux kernel.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability is primarily related to system stability and availability. Organizations relying on Linux systems with Intel wireless hardware using the affected iwlwifi driver may experience gradual memory consumption increases leading to potential system slowdowns, crashes, or forced reboots if the memory leak is triggered frequently. This can affect critical infrastructure, enterprise servers, or endpoint devices, especially in environments where wireless connectivity is essential. While the vulnerability does not directly compromise confidentiality or integrity, the resulting denial of service conditions could disrupt business operations, particularly in sectors with high availability requirements such as finance, healthcare, and telecommunications. Since no active exploitation is known, the immediate risk is low, but unpatched systems remain vulnerable to potential future exploitation or stability issues.

European organizations should promptly update their Linux kernel to the latest stable version that includes the patch for CVE-2021-47529. Specifically, they should ensure that the iwlwifi driver is updated to the fixed commit or later. System administrators should audit their Linux systems to identify those running affected kernel versions and Intel wireless hardware. Monitoring tools should be employed to detect unusual memory usage patterns related to the wireless driver. In environments where wireless connectivity is critical, consider implementing fallback wired connections or redundant network paths to mitigate potential availability impacts. Additionally, organizations should maintain robust patch management processes to quickly apply kernel updates and test them in staging environments before production deployment. For systems where immediate patching is not feasible, temporarily disabling the iwlwifi driver or replacing it with alternative wireless drivers (if compatible) may reduce risk, though this may impact wireless functionality.