CVE-2023-52838 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel's framebuffer device driver, specifically within the imsttfb module. The issue arises from improper error handling in the probe function, where a resource leak occurs if the initialization function init_imstt() fails. The root cause is the failure to call iounmap(par->cmap_regs) to unmap I/O memory regions during error cleanup, leading to a resource leak. This vulnerability is categorized under CWE-416, which relates to use-after-free or improper resource management errors. While the vulnerability does not directly impact confidentiality or integrity, it affects availability by potentially causing resource exhaustion or instability in the framebuffer driver, which could lead to denial of service (DoS) conditions. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.2 (medium severity), with vector AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H, indicating local attack vector, low attack complexity, no privileges required, no user interaction, unchanged scope, no confidentiality or integrity impact, but high impact on availability. The affected Linux kernel versions include multiple commits identified by their hashes, indicating that this vulnerability is present in various recent kernel builds. No known exploits are reported in the wild as of the publication date (May 21, 2024). The vulnerability has been addressed by rewriting the error handling code to ensure proper resource cleanup.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2023-52838 is primarily related to system availability. Linux is widely used across European enterprises, government agencies, and critical infrastructure sectors, often powering servers, embedded systems, and network devices. A resource leak in the framebuffer driver could lead to system instability or crashes, particularly in environments relying on graphical interfaces or embedded Linux systems using the imsttfb driver. While the vulnerability requires local access to exploit, insider threats or attackers with limited local access could trigger denial of service conditions, disrupting operations. This could affect sectors such as manufacturing, telecommunications, and public services where Linux-based systems are prevalent. However, since the vulnerability does not compromise confidentiality or integrity, the risk of data breaches is low. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate threat levels, but unpatched systems remain vulnerable to potential future exploitation or accidental system failures.

European organizations should prioritize applying the official Linux kernel patches that address CVE-2023-52838 as soon as they are available. Given the vulnerability involves resource leaks in the framebuffer driver, system administrators should: 1) Identify systems running affected Linux kernel versions, especially those utilizing the imsttfb framebuffer driver. 2) Update to the latest stable kernel releases that include the fix for this vulnerability. 3) For embedded or specialized Linux distributions, coordinate with vendors to obtain patched kernel versions or backport fixes. 4) Implement monitoring for unusual system resource usage or crashes related to framebuffer devices to detect potential exploitation attempts or failures. 5) Restrict local access to critical Linux systems to trusted personnel only, minimizing the risk of local exploitation. 6) Conduct regular audits of kernel versions and maintain an inventory of affected systems to ensure timely patch management. 7) Consider deploying kernel live patching solutions where feasible to reduce downtime during patch application.