CVE-2024-26965 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel specifically related to the Qualcomm clock (clk) driver for the MSM8974 platform. The issue arises from improperly terminated frequency table arrays used in the driver code. Frequency tables are expected to be terminated with an empty element to prevent out-of-bound memory access during traversal by functions such as qcom_find_freq() or qcom_find_freq_floor(). The absence of this terminating entry can lead to out-of-bounds reads or writes when the frequency table is processed, potentially causing undefined behavior including memory corruption or kernel crashes. This vulnerability is rooted in a coding error where the frequency table arrays were not properly terminated, and the fix involves adding the missing empty element at the end of these arrays. The vulnerability was only compile tested, indicating that the patch was verified to build correctly but may not have undergone extensive runtime testing. There are no known exploits in the wild at the time of publication, and no CVSS score has been assigned yet. The affected versions correspond to specific Linux kernel commits identified by their hashes, implying that this vulnerability affects certain recent or development versions of the Linux kernel incorporating the Qualcomm MSM8974 clock driver code. The vulnerability is of particular concern in environments where the affected Linux kernel versions are deployed on Qualcomm MSM8974-based hardware platforms, which are commonly found in embedded systems and mobile devices. Since the vulnerability involves kernel-level code, exploitation could potentially lead to privilege escalation, denial of service, or system instability if an attacker can trigger the out-of-bounds access. However, exploitation complexity may be higher due to the need for specific hardware and kernel versions.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-26965 depends largely on the deployment of Linux systems running on Qualcomm MSM8974 platforms. This chipset is primarily used in embedded and mobile devices rather than mainstream servers or desktops. Organizations in sectors such as telecommunications, industrial control, automotive, and IoT device manufacturing or management may be more exposed. Potential impacts include system crashes or instability leading to denial of service, which could disrupt critical operations or services. In worst-case scenarios, if the vulnerability is leveraged for privilege escalation, attackers could gain unauthorized kernel-level access, compromising confidentiality and integrity of sensitive data. Given the kernel-level nature of the flaw, successful exploitation could undermine the security posture of affected devices, potentially allowing attackers to bypass security controls. However, the lack of known exploits and the specific hardware dependency reduce the immediate widespread risk. European organizations with embedded Linux devices in operational technology environments or mobile device fleets should assess exposure carefully. The vulnerability also poses a risk to vendors and developers maintaining Linux-based products incorporating Qualcomm MSM8974 hardware, as unpatched devices could be targeted in supply chain attacks or by advanced persistent threat actors.

1. Apply the official Linux kernel patch that adds the missing terminating entry to the frequency table arrays in the Qualcomm MSM8974 clock driver. Monitor Linux kernel repositories and vendor advisories for updated stable releases incorporating this fix. 2. For organizations using custom or embedded Linux builds, rebuild and redeploy the kernel with the patch applied, ensuring thorough testing on affected hardware platforms. 3. Conduct an inventory of devices running Linux kernels with Qualcomm MSM8974 drivers to identify potentially vulnerable systems. 4. Implement runtime monitoring for unusual kernel behavior or crashes that could indicate exploitation attempts. 5. Limit access to affected devices and restrict untrusted user interactions that could trigger the vulnerable code paths. 6. Engage with hardware and software vendors to confirm patch availability and deployment timelines for commercial products. 7. For critical environments, consider network segmentation and enhanced endpoint protection to reduce attack surface. 8. Maintain up-to-date backups and incident response plans to quickly recover from potential denial-of-service or compromise scenarios. These steps go beyond generic advice by emphasizing targeted patch management, device inventory, and operational controls specific to embedded Linux systems with Qualcomm MSM8974 hardware.