CVE-2023-52844 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel, specifically within the media subsystem component 'vidtv' in the 'psi' module. The issue arises from the lack of proper error handling for the function kstrdup(), which is used to duplicate strings in kernel space. If kstrdup() fails, it returns a NULL pointer. Prior to the fix, the code did not check for this NULL return value, leading to a potential NULL pointer dereference (CWE-476). This can cause the kernel to crash or become unstable, resulting in a denial of service (DoS) condition. The vulnerability does not affect confidentiality or integrity but impacts availability by causing system crashes. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 6.2 (medium severity), with the vector AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H, indicating that the attack requires local access, low complexity, no privileges, and no user interaction. The scope is unchanged, and the impact is limited to availability. No known exploits are reported in the wild yet. The vulnerability affects specific Linux kernel versions identified by commit hashes, and the fix involves adding a check for the return value of kstrdup() and returning an error if it fails to prevent NULL pointer dereference.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2023-52844 is the risk of local denial of service on systems running vulnerable Linux kernel versions with the affected media subsystem enabled. This can lead to unexpected system crashes or reboots, disrupting critical services, especially in environments relying on Linux for media processing or embedded systems. While the vulnerability requires local access, it could be exploited by malicious insiders or attackers who have gained limited access to the system. The availability impact may affect servers, workstations, or embedded devices, potentially causing downtime and operational disruption. Organizations in sectors such as telecommunications, media production, and industrial control systems that utilize Linux-based devices with the vidtv psi module could be more affected. However, since the vulnerability does not allow privilege escalation or remote exploitation, the overall risk is moderate but should not be ignored in sensitive or high-availability environments.

European organizations should promptly update their Linux kernels to versions that include the patch for CVE-2023-52844. Since the vulnerability is in the kernel media subsystem, organizations should audit their systems to identify if the vidtv psi module is in use or loaded. If the module is not required, disabling or blacklisting it can reduce the attack surface. For systems where local access is tightly controlled, enforcing strict access controls and monitoring for unusual local activity can mitigate exploitation risk. Additionally, implementing kernel crash monitoring and automated recovery mechanisms can minimize downtime in case of exploitation. Organizations should also maintain up-to-date intrusion detection systems and endpoint security solutions to detect potential attempts to exploit local vulnerabilities. Finally, ensure that all Linux-based devices, including embedded and IoT devices, are included in patch management processes to avoid overlooked vulnerable systems.