CVE-2023-52875 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel specifically within the MediaTek clock driver component (clk-mt2701). The issue arises from the lack of a proper check on the return value of the function mtk_alloc_clk_data(). This function is responsible for allocating clock data structures necessary for the proper operation of the MediaTek MT2701 SoC clock framework. Without verifying the success of this allocation, the kernel code may proceed with a NULL pointer, leading to a NULL pointer dereference. This type of flaw can cause the kernel to crash (kernel panic) or become unstable, resulting in a denial of service (DoS) condition. The vulnerability is rooted in insufficient error handling in the driver code, which was addressed by adding a check for the return value of mtk_alloc_clk_data() to prevent dereferencing a NULL pointer. The affected versions are specific commits identified by the hash e9862118272aa528e35e54ef9f1e35c217870fd7, indicating a narrow scope within certain Linux kernel builds. There are no known exploits in the wild at the time of publication, and no CVSS score has been assigned yet. The vulnerability is technical and low-level, impacting the kernel's stability rather than directly compromising confidentiality or integrity.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2023-52875 is related to system availability and reliability. Systems running Linux kernels with the affected MediaTek MT2701 clock driver could experience unexpected crashes or reboots if the vulnerability is triggered, potentially disrupting critical services. This is particularly relevant for embedded systems, IoT devices, or specialized hardware using the MT2701 chipset, which may be deployed in industrial control systems, telecommunications infrastructure, or other operational technology environments. While the vulnerability does not directly enable privilege escalation or data breaches, the denial of service could lead to operational downtime, affecting business continuity and service delivery. Organizations relying on Linux-based devices with this chipset should be aware of the risk of instability and plan for patching to maintain system uptime. The lack of known exploits reduces immediate risk, but the presence of a kernel-level flaw warrants proactive mitigation to prevent potential future exploitation or accidental triggering.

To mitigate CVE-2023-52875, European organizations should: 1) Identify all systems running Linux kernels with the MediaTek MT2701 clock driver, focusing on embedded devices and specialized hardware. 2) Apply the official Linux kernel patches that add the necessary NULL pointer checks in the clk-mt2701 driver as soon as they become available in stable kernel releases or backported distributions. 3) For devices where kernel updates are not immediately feasible, implement monitoring and alerting for kernel panics or unexpected reboots to quickly detect and respond to potential exploitation or accidental triggering. 4) Engage with hardware and device vendors to confirm patch availability and deployment timelines for affected products. 5) Incorporate this vulnerability into vulnerability management and patching workflows, prioritizing devices critical to operational continuity. 6) Consider network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of vulnerable devices to untrusted networks, reducing the risk of remote triggering of the flaw. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on the specific affected hardware and operational contexts.