CVE-2024-33619 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel's EFI (Extensible Firmware Interface) libstub component. The issue arises from improper handling of the priv.runtime_map pointer during error conditions. Specifically, priv.runtime_map is only allocated when the kernel parameter efi_novamap is not set. However, in the error path, the code attempts to free priv.runtime_map unconditionally, regardless of whether it was allocated or not. This leads to a scenario where an uninitialized or invalid pointer value is passed to the free_pool function, which can cause undefined behavior such as memory corruption, crashes, or potential exploitation vectors. The vulnerability was discovered and fixed through static analysis using Coverity SAST by Synopsys, indicating it is a coding logic flaw rather than a traditional memory corruption bug exploitable through external inputs. The fix involves ensuring that priv.runtime_map is only freed if it was previously allocated, preventing the use of uninitialized pointers. The affected versions are specific Linux kernel commits identified by their hashes, and no known exploits are currently reported in the wild. No CVSS score has been assigned yet, and the vulnerability appears to be a low-level kernel memory management bug related to EFI boot handling.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-33619 depends largely on their use of Linux systems that utilize EFI boot with the affected kernel versions. Since this vulnerability involves kernel memory management during EFI initialization, it could lead to system instability or crashes during boot or runtime under certain error conditions. While no active exploits are known, the potential for memory corruption could be leveraged by a local attacker or through crafted EFI configurations to cause denial of service or possibly escalate privileges if combined with other vulnerabilities. Organizations relying on Linux servers, embedded devices, or cloud infrastructure that boot via EFI and run affected kernel versions could face operational disruptions. However, the lack of remote exploitability and requirement for specific kernel configurations limits the immediate threat scope. Nonetheless, critical infrastructure and service providers in Europe using these Linux kernels should prioritize patching to maintain system integrity and availability.

To mitigate CVE-2024-33619, European organizations should: 1) Identify all Linux systems running affected kernel versions, particularly those using EFI boot with efi_novamap unset. 2) Apply the official Linux kernel patches that correct the conditional freeing of priv.runtime_map as soon as they are available from trusted sources or Linux distributions. 3) For environments where immediate patching is not feasible, consider disabling EFI boot or setting the efi_novamap parameter to avoid allocation of priv.runtime_map, if operationally acceptable. 4) Monitor system logs and kernel messages for unusual EFI-related errors or crashes that could indicate exploitation attempts or instability. 5) Incorporate static analysis tools like Coverity SAST into development and maintenance workflows to detect similar memory management issues proactively. 6) Maintain strict access controls to prevent unauthorized local access, as exploitation likely requires local privileges or specific EFI configurations. 7) Coordinate with Linux distribution vendors and security teams to receive timely updates and advisories.