CVE-2023-52498 addresses a vulnerability in the Linux kernel's power management (PM) subsystem, specifically within the system-wide suspend and resume code. The issue arises in low-memory conditions where the asynchronous scheduling function async_schedule_dev() may execute its callback function synchronously if it fails to allocate memory. This synchronous execution can lead to a deadlock because the callback function attempts to acquire a mutex that is already held by the caller. Additionally, the synchronous execution disrupts the expected ordering of device resume callbacks, potentially causing consumer devices to resume before their supplier devices, which can lead to inconsistent device states or failures during system resume. The fix involves replacing async_schedule_dev() with async_schedule_dev_nocall(), which schedules the callback asynchronously without executing it synchronously on failure. If async_schedule_dev_nocall() fails, the code now runs the callback synchronously but in a controlled manner to avoid deadlocks and ordering issues. This vulnerability is rooted in the core system-wide PM code of the Linux kernel and affects versions identified by the commit hash 1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2. No known exploits are reported in the wild at this time, and no CVSS score has been assigned yet.

For European organizations relying on Linux-based systems, especially those using Linux in embedded devices, servers, or critical infrastructure, this vulnerability could cause system instability or outages during suspend/resume cycles, particularly under low-memory conditions. Deadlocks in the power management code can lead to system hangs or crashes, impacting availability and potentially causing downtime. This is particularly relevant for data centers, telecommunications infrastructure, and industrial control systems that depend on reliable power state transitions. Although no direct exploitation for privilege escalation or data compromise is indicated, the disruption of device resume order could cause hardware malfunctions or degraded performance. The impact is primarily on system availability and operational continuity rather than confidentiality or integrity. Organizations with Linux deployments in environments where power management is critical (e.g., laptops, mobile devices, embedded systems) should be aware of potential service interruptions if unpatched.

Organizations should promptly apply the official Linux kernel patches that address this vulnerability, ensuring their systems are updated to versions incorporating the fix that replaces async_schedule_dev() with async_schedule_dev_nocall(). For environments where immediate patching is not feasible, monitoring system logs for suspend/resume failures or deadlock symptoms can help detect potential issues. System administrators should also review memory usage and optimize to avoid low-memory conditions during suspend/resume cycles. Testing suspend/resume functionality after updates is recommended to confirm stability. For embedded or specialized Linux distributions, vendors should be contacted to obtain patched kernel versions. Additionally, implementing robust system monitoring and automated recovery mechanisms can mitigate the impact of unexpected hangs caused by this vulnerability.