CVE-2024-24258 is a high-severity vulnerability identified in freeglut version 3.4.0, specifically involving a memory leak through the menuEntry variable in the glutAddSubMenu function. Freeglut is an open-source alternative to the OpenGL Utility Toolkit (GLUT) used for managing windows with OpenGL contexts and handling user input in graphical applications. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-401, which pertains to improper release of memory, leading to memory leaks. In this case, the glutAddSubMenu function, which is responsible for adding submenu entries to graphical menus, improperly manages memory associated with the menuEntry variable, causing memory to be allocated but not freed appropriately. The CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.5 indicates a high severity, with the vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H showing that the vulnerability is remotely exploitable over the network without any privileges or user interaction, and it impacts availability (A:H) but not confidentiality or integrity. The memory leak can lead to resource exhaustion on affected systems, potentially causing application crashes or denial of service conditions. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the ease of exploitation and the lack of required privileges make this a significant concern for applications relying on freeglut 3.4.0. No patches or fixes have been linked yet, indicating that affected users should monitor for updates or consider mitigations to reduce risk.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability primarily concerns applications and systems that utilize freeglut 3.4.0 for graphical rendering and user interface management. Industries such as software development firms, gaming companies, scientific research institutions, and any enterprise relying on OpenGL-based visualization tools could be affected. The memory leak can degrade system performance over time, leading to application instability or crashes, which may disrupt business operations, especially in environments requiring high availability or real-time processing. In critical infrastructure sectors or research environments, such disruptions could delay important computations or visualizations. Additionally, since the vulnerability can be exploited remotely without authentication or user interaction, it increases the attack surface for denial-of-service attacks, potentially impacting cloud-hosted services or remote workstations. While confidentiality and integrity are not directly affected, the availability impact can lead to operational downtime and increased maintenance costs. European organizations with stringent uptime requirements or those operating in regulated sectors may face compliance challenges if service disruptions occur.

To mitigate the risks posed by CVE-2024-24258, European organizations should take several specific actions beyond generic advice. First, identify and inventory all applications and systems using freeglut 3.4.0, including indirect dependencies in software stacks. Until an official patch is released, consider temporarily disabling or restricting access to functionalities that invoke glutAddSubMenu or related menu management features in freeglut. Employ application-level monitoring to detect abnormal memory consumption patterns indicative of leaks. Implement resource limits and watchdog timers to automatically restart affected applications before resource exhaustion leads to crashes. Where feasible, isolate vulnerable applications in sandboxed or containerized environments to limit the impact of potential denial-of-service conditions. Engage with software vendors or open-source communities to track patch releases and apply updates promptly. Additionally, network-level protections such as rate limiting and intrusion detection systems can help mitigate remote exploitation attempts by limiting anomalous traffic patterns targeting vulnerable services. Finally, incorporate this vulnerability into incident response plans to ensure rapid detection and remediation if exploitation attempts are observed.