CVE-2023-52614 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel specifically within the PM (Power Management) subsystem's devfreq component. The issue arises in the function trans_stat_show(), which is responsible for displaying transition statistics related to device frequency scaling. The vulnerability is a buffer overflow caused by the use of the less secure snprintf function, which does not adequately prevent writing beyond the allocated buffer size. This could lead to memory corruption. The fix involved replacing snprintf with scnprintf, a safer variant that respects the buffer size (PAGE_SIZE). Additionally, the patch introduces a condition to check if the output exceeds PAGE_SIZE, exiting early from the loop to prevent overflow, and returns the error code -EFBIG when the buffer is insufficient to hold the full transition table. The ABI documentation was also updated to reflect this behavior. This vulnerability is a classic example of improper bounds checking leading to buffer overflow, which could potentially be exploited to cause denial of service or, in some cases, arbitrary code execution depending on the context and privileges of the affected function. However, there are no known exploits in the wild at this time, and the vulnerability requires interaction with the devfreq subsystem, which is typically used in embedded or specialized Linux environments managing device frequency scaling. The affected versions are identified by specific commit hashes, indicating the vulnerability is present in certain kernel builds prior to the patch. Since this is a kernel-level vulnerability, it affects all Linux distributions using the vulnerable kernel versions, which can be widespread across servers, desktops, and embedded devices.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2023-52614 depends largely on the deployment of Linux systems utilizing the devfreq subsystem. Many enterprises, especially those in telecommunications, industrial control, automotive, and embedded systems sectors, rely on Linux kernels with power management features. A successful exploitation could lead to kernel memory corruption, potentially causing system crashes (denial of service) or privilege escalation if combined with other vulnerabilities. This could disrupt critical infrastructure, manufacturing processes, or telecommunications services. Given the kernel-level nature, the integrity and availability of affected systems are at risk. Confidentiality impact is less direct but could arise if an attacker leverages this vulnerability as part of a multi-stage attack to gain unauthorized access. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk, but the vulnerability should be addressed promptly to prevent future exploitation. European organizations with Linux-based infrastructure, especially those using custom or embedded Linux kernels, should prioritize patching to maintain operational stability and security compliance.

1. Apply the official Linux kernel patch that replaces snprintf with scnprintf in the trans_stat_show() function and includes the buffer size checks and error handling as described. 2. Update Linux distributions to the latest kernel versions that include this fix; monitor vendor advisories for patched releases. 3. For embedded or specialized devices using custom kernels, rebuild and redeploy kernels with the patch applied. 4. Implement strict kernel module loading policies and restrict access to devfreq interfaces to trusted users and processes only. 5. Employ runtime security tools such as kernel integrity checkers and exploit mitigation frameworks (e.g., SELinux, AppArmor) to detect and prevent abnormal kernel behavior. 6. Conduct regular audits of kernel versions in use across the organization to identify vulnerable systems. 7. Monitor system logs for unusual crashes or warnings related to devfreq or power management subsystems that could indicate attempted exploitation. 8. Educate system administrators about the vulnerability and the importance of timely kernel updates, especially in embedded and industrial environments.