CVE-2024-26655 addresses a memory leak vulnerability in the Linux kernel specifically within the posix_clock_open() function. The issue arises when the clk ops.open() function returns an error; in this failure scenario, the kernel does not release the pccontext allocated for the clock, leading to a memory leak. The vulnerability is rooted in improper resource management during error handling in the clock subsystem of the kernel. The fix involves reorganizing the code to ensure that allocated resources are properly freed even when the clk ops.open() call fails, thereby preventing the memory leak. This vulnerability does not appear to allow direct code execution or privilege escalation but can cause resource exhaustion over time if the error condition is triggered repeatedly. The affected versions are specific commits identified by their hashes, indicating this is a recent kernel issue resolved in the latest Linux kernel updates. There are no known exploits in the wild at the time of publication, and no CVSS score has been assigned yet.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability is primarily related to system stability and availability. Linux is widely used across European enterprises, government agencies, and critical infrastructure, often powering servers, embedded systems, and cloud environments. A memory leak in the kernel's clock subsystem could lead to gradual resource exhaustion, potentially causing degraded performance or system crashes if the error condition is triggered frequently. This could affect uptime and reliability of critical services, especially in environments with long-running processes or those that heavily utilize POSIX clocks. Although the vulnerability does not directly compromise confidentiality or integrity, the resulting denial of service or system instability could disrupt business operations, leading to financial losses and reputational damage. Since exploitation requires triggering a specific error path in the kernel, the ease of exploitation is moderate, but the scope includes any Linux system running the affected kernel versions, which are common in many European IT environments.

European organizations should prioritize updating their Linux kernel to the latest patched versions that include the fix for CVE-2024-26655. System administrators should audit their environments to identify systems running the affected kernel commits and schedule timely patch deployments. Additionally, monitoring system logs for repeated failures in posix_clock_open() or related clock subsystem errors can help detect attempts to trigger the memory leak. Implementing resource usage monitoring and alerting can preemptively identify abnormal memory consumption patterns indicative of exploitation attempts. For critical systems where immediate patching is not feasible, consider isolating affected systems or limiting access to services that might invoke the vulnerable clock operations. Engaging with Linux distribution vendors for backported patches or mitigations is also advisable. Finally, maintaining robust backup and recovery procedures ensures resilience against potential service disruptions caused by this vulnerability.