CVE-2024-26694 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel's iwlwifi driver, which handles Intel wireless network devices. The issue is a double-free bug related to the handling of TLV PC register data storage within the driver's firmware area. Specifically, the storage for this data was not managed consistently with other firmware data, which is cleared at the end of deallocation. Because of this inconsistency, the memory allocated for the TLV PC register data could be freed twice if a file fails to load after parsing, leading to a second free operation on already freed memory. This double-free condition arises when no alternative file exists, causing the driver to attempt a second free later in the process. The fix involves explicitly nullifying the pointer after freeing the memory to prevent the double-free from occurring. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the vulnerability could potentially be triggered by manipulating the firmware loading process of the wireless driver, which is a critical component in many Linux-based systems. The affected versions correspond to specific Linux kernel commits prior to the patch. The vulnerability does not have an assigned CVSS score yet, but the technical details and patch information indicate it is a memory management flaw that could lead to undefined behavior, including potential system crashes or memory corruption.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-26694 primarily concerns systems running Linux with Intel wireless hardware using the iwlwifi driver. Exploitation of this double-free bug could lead to denial of service (system crashes) or potentially enable an attacker to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges if the memory corruption is leveraged effectively. This could compromise the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of affected systems. Given the widespread use of Linux in enterprise servers, workstations, and embedded devices across Europe, especially in sectors relying on wireless connectivity such as telecommunications, finance, and government, the vulnerability poses a moderate risk. However, exploitation requires triggering the firmware loading failure scenario, which may limit the attack surface. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, especially as attackers often reverse-engineer patches to develop exploits. Organizations with critical infrastructure or sensitive data should prioritize remediation to prevent potential exploitation that could disrupt operations or lead to privilege escalation.

To mitigate CVE-2024-26694, European organizations should: 1) Apply the latest Linux kernel updates that include the patch fixing the double-free bug in the iwlwifi driver as soon as they become available. 2) For systems where immediate patching is not feasible, consider disabling the affected wireless interfaces or using alternative network adapters temporarily to reduce exposure. 3) Monitor system logs for unusual firmware loading errors or crashes related to the iwlwifi driver, which could indicate attempted exploitation. 4) Employ kernel hardening techniques such as Kernel Address Space Layout Randomization (KASLR) and Control Flow Integrity (CFI) to reduce the likelihood of successful exploitation of memory corruption vulnerabilities. 5) Maintain strict access controls and network segmentation to limit the ability of attackers to reach vulnerable systems. 6) Engage in proactive vulnerability management and incident response planning to quickly address any signs of exploitation.