CVE-2024-27416 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel's Bluetooth subsystem, specifically related to the handling of the HCI (Host Controller Interface) event HCI_EV_IO_CAPA_REQUEST. The issue arises when the Linux kernel receives an HCI_EV_IO_CAPA_REQUEST event while a previous HCI_OP_READ_REMOTE_EXT_FEATURES command has not yet been responded to. Under these conditions, the kernel incorrectly assumes that the remote Bluetooth device supports Secure Simple Pairing (SSP), even though this event should not be generated if SSP is unsupported. This improper handling could lead to incorrect assumptions about the remote device's capabilities during the Bluetooth pairing process. Although the exact exploitation method is not detailed and no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the flaw could potentially be leveraged to disrupt Bluetooth communications or bypass certain security checks during device pairing. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of the Linux kernel, as indicated by the various commit hashes listed, and has been officially published and acknowledged by the Linux project. The absence of a CVSS score suggests that the vulnerability is newly disclosed and may require further analysis to fully understand its exploitability and impact. However, the technical nature of the flaw indicates a logic error in Bluetooth event handling that could impact the integrity and security of Bluetooth connections on affected Linux systems.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-27416 primarily concerns the security and reliability of Bluetooth communications on Linux-based systems. Many enterprises and public sector organizations in Europe utilize Linux servers, workstations, and embedded devices that rely on Bluetooth for peripheral connectivity, device management, or IoT integration. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability might manipulate Bluetooth pairing processes, potentially enabling unauthorized device connections, man-in-the-middle attacks, or denial of service conditions. This could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data transmitted over Bluetooth or disruption of critical device communications. Given the widespread use of Linux in industrial control systems, healthcare devices, and telecommunications infrastructure across Europe, the vulnerability could pose risks to operational continuity and data confidentiality. However, since no active exploits are known and exploitation complexity appears moderate due to the need to interact with Bluetooth events at a low level, the immediate risk may be limited but should not be underestimated, especially in environments with high Bluetooth usage or where Bluetooth security is critical.

To mitigate CVE-2024-27416, European organizations should prioritize updating their Linux kernel to the latest patched versions where this vulnerability has been resolved. Since the issue lies in the Bluetooth subsystem, organizations should audit and monitor Bluetooth device usage, ensuring that only trusted devices are allowed to connect. Implementing strict Bluetooth device authentication policies and disabling Bluetooth on systems where it is not required can reduce the attack surface. Network segmentation can isolate Bluetooth-enabled devices from critical infrastructure. Additionally, organizations should monitor kernel updates from Linux distributions and apply security patches promptly. For embedded or IoT devices running custom Linux kernels, vendors should be engaged to provide updated firmware. Security teams should also consider deploying Bluetooth traffic monitoring tools to detect anomalous pairing attempts or unusual event sequences indicative of exploitation attempts. Finally, raising user awareness about Bluetooth security hygiene can help prevent social engineering or inadvertent acceptance of malicious pairing requests.