CVE-2024-26892 is a use-after-free vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel's mt76 wireless driver, specifically affecting the mt7921e device. The flaw arises in the handling of shared interrupt requests (IRQs) during device removal. After deregistration of the device's IRQ handler, the kernel fails to properly mark the device as removed, leading to potential access of freed memory when the IRQ handler is unexpectedly invoked. This results in a use-after-free condition detected by Kernel Address Sanitizer (KASAN), which can cause kernel crashes or undefined behavior. The vulnerability is rooted in the mt7921_irq_handler function, where the driver does not adequately prevent access to resources after the device has been removed, as indicated by the absence of the MT76_REMOVED flag. The issue was introduced in commit a304e1b82808 and affects Linux kernel versions containing specific commits listed in the affectedVersions field. Exploitation would require triggering the removal of the affected wireless device module (rmmod) while the IRQ handler is still active, potentially leading to kernel memory corruption. No known exploits are reported in the wild, and no CVSS score has been assigned yet. The vulnerability is significant because it affects the kernel's wireless networking stack, which is critical for device connectivity and system stability.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-26892 could be substantial, especially for those relying heavily on Linux-based systems with mt7921e wireless hardware, such as laptops, embedded devices, or servers with wireless capabilities. Exploitation could lead to kernel crashes (denial of service), system instability, or potentially privilege escalation if combined with other vulnerabilities, thereby compromising confidentiality, integrity, and availability of systems. This can disrupt business operations, particularly in sectors like finance, healthcare, and critical infrastructure where wireless connectivity is integral. Additionally, organizations using Linux in IoT or industrial control environments could face operational disruptions. Given the kernel-level nature of the flaw, successful exploitation could allow attackers to bypass security controls and gain persistent access or cause system outages.

To mitigate this vulnerability, organizations should promptly apply the official Linux kernel patches that address the use-after-free in the mt7921e driver by ensuring the MT76_REMOVED flag is correctly set during device removal. System administrators should monitor kernel updates from trusted Linux distributions and prioritize upgrading to patched kernel versions. Additionally, disabling or unloading the mt7921e wireless driver on systems where it is not required can reduce exposure. Employing kernel hardening techniques such as Kernel Address Sanitizer (KASAN) in testing environments can help detect similar issues early. Network segmentation and limiting user privileges to prevent unauthorized module removal (rmmod) can also reduce exploitation risk. Finally, organizations should maintain robust monitoring for unusual kernel crashes or system instability that could indicate exploitation attempts.