CVE-2024-35828 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel's Wi-Fi driver component, specifically within the 'libertas' driver responsible for managing certain wireless hardware. The issue lies in the function lbs_allocate_cmd_buffer(), which is used to allocate command buffers for communication with the wireless device. During a loop that allocates memory for an array of command buffers (cmdarray), if the allocation for any individual buffer (cmdarray[i].cmdbuf) fails, the code does not properly free the previously allocated memory for both the cmdarray and the partially allocated buffers. This results in memory leaks. While memory leaks do not directly lead to code execution or privilege escalation, they can cause resource exhaustion over time, potentially degrading system performance or leading to denial of service (DoS) conditions if exploited in a targeted manner. The vulnerability is present in multiple versions of the Linux kernel as indicated by the repeated commit hash references, and it was publicly disclosed on May 17, 2024. There are no known exploits in the wild at this time, and no CVSS score has been assigned. The fix involves ensuring that all allocated memory is properly freed upon failure during the allocation process, preventing memory leaks in the affected function.

For European organizations, the primary impact of this vulnerability is the potential for denial of service through resource exhaustion on Linux systems running the affected libertas Wi-Fi driver. Systems that rely on this driver for wireless connectivity, particularly embedded devices, IoT devices, or network infrastructure using Linux, could experience degraded performance or crashes if the memory leak is triggered repeatedly. While this vulnerability does not directly compromise confidentiality or integrity, the availability impact could disrupt business operations, especially in environments where wireless connectivity is critical. Organizations with large deployments of Linux-based wireless devices may face increased maintenance overhead or unexpected downtime if the vulnerability is exploited or triggered unintentionally. However, since exploitation requires triggering repeated allocation failures, the risk of widespread impact is moderate. The absence of known exploits and the nature of the flaw suggest that this is not a critical threat but should be addressed promptly to maintain system stability.

To mitigate this vulnerability, European organizations should: 1) Apply the official Linux kernel patches that fix the memory leak in the libertas driver as soon as they become available from trusted sources or Linux distributions. 2) Regularly update Linux systems to the latest stable kernel versions to benefit from security fixes and improvements. 3) Monitor wireless device logs and system resource usage to detect abnormal memory consumption that could indicate attempts to exploit this issue. 4) For critical infrastructure, consider isolating or limiting access to devices using the affected driver to reduce exposure. 5) In environments where patching is delayed, implement resource monitoring and automated alerts to quickly respond to potential DoS conditions caused by memory leaks. 6) Engage with Linux distribution vendors or maintainers to ensure timely patch deployment and verify that the fix is included in distribution updates.