CVE-2021-47648 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel specifically related to the GPU subsystem's host1x driver. The issue is a memory leak occurring in the 'host1x_remove()' function. The root cause is the omission of a call to 'host1x_channel_list_free()' during the removal process of the host1x device, which is responsible for freeing allocated memory associated with the channel list. This missing call leads to unreleased memory, causing a leak. Notably, this cleanup is correctly handled in the error path of the probe function but was overlooked in the remove function. The vulnerability does not appear to have an associated CVSS score and there are no known exploits in the wild at the time of publication. The affected versions are identified by a specific commit hash, indicating that this is a code-level fix in the Linux kernel source. The host1x driver is part of the GPU subsystem commonly used in embedded systems and devices that rely on NVIDIA Tegra SoCs or similar hardware architectures. The memory leak itself, while not directly exploitable for code execution or privilege escalation, can lead to resource exhaustion over time, potentially degrading system performance or causing instability in affected systems.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability depends largely on the deployment of Linux systems utilizing the affected host1x GPU driver, which is prevalent in embedded devices, IoT systems, and certain specialized computing environments. Organizations relying on such hardware for critical infrastructure, industrial control systems, or edge computing may experience degraded system reliability or unexpected reboots due to memory exhaustion if the vulnerability is exploited or triggered by normal operation. While the vulnerability does not currently have known exploits and does not directly compromise confidentiality or integrity, the availability impact through resource leaks can disrupt operations, especially in environments where uptime and stability are critical. This could affect sectors such as manufacturing, telecommunications, automotive, and defense within Europe, where embedded Linux systems are common. Additionally, the lack of a CVSS score and known exploits suggests a lower immediate risk, but the vulnerability should be addressed proactively to prevent potential future exploitation or cascading failures.

To mitigate this vulnerability, European organizations should prioritize updating their Linux kernel to versions that include the patch fixing CVE-2021-47648. Since the fix involves adding the missing 'host1x_channel_list_free()' call in the remove function, applying the latest stable kernel releases or vendor-provided patches that incorporate this fix is essential. For embedded systems or devices where kernel updates are less frequent, organizations should coordinate with hardware vendors or system integrators to obtain updated firmware or kernel images. Additionally, monitoring system memory usage on devices running the affected driver can help detect abnormal memory consumption indicative of the leak. Implementing automated update mechanisms for embedded devices where feasible will reduce the window of exposure. Finally, organizations should review their asset inventories to identify systems using the host1x driver and prioritize remediation accordingly, especially for critical infrastructure components.