CVE-2024-35829 is a medium-severity vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel, specifically within the Direct Rendering Manager (DRM) subsystem related to the Lima GPU driver. The vulnerability stems from a memory leak in the lima_heap_alloc function. When the lima_vm_map_bo function fails to map a buffer object (BO) into the virtual memory, the allocated resources are not properly deallocated, leading to a memory leak. This issue is categorized under CWE-401 (Improper Release of Memory Before Removing Last Reference), indicating a failure to free memory resources correctly. The vulnerability requires local access with low privileges (PR:L) and does not require user interaction (UI:N). The attack vector is local (AV:L), meaning exploitation requires the attacker to have access to the system, but the complexity is low (AC:L). The impact is limited to availability (A:H), as the memory leak can degrade system performance or cause denial of service by exhausting memory resources. There is no impact on confidentiality or integrity. The vulnerability affects specific Linux kernel versions identified by commit hashes, and no known exploits are currently reported in the wild. The fix involves ensuring proper deallocation of resources when lima_vm_map_bo fails, preventing the memory leak. This vulnerability is relevant for systems using the Lima GPU driver, which is commonly used in ARM-based devices with Mali GPUs supported by the Lima open-source driver.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2024-35829 is on the availability and stability of Linux systems utilizing the Lima GPU driver. This is particularly relevant for organizations deploying ARM-based Linux devices, embedded systems, or specialized hardware that rely on the Lima driver for graphics processing. Memory leaks can lead to gradual resource exhaustion, causing system slowdowns, crashes, or denial of service conditions, which may disrupt critical operations. While the vulnerability does not compromise data confidentiality or integrity, the availability impact can affect service continuity, especially in environments where uptime is critical, such as industrial control systems, telecommunications infrastructure, or edge computing deployments. Since exploitation requires local access, the threat is more significant in multi-user environments or where untrusted users have shell access. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk, but the vulnerability should be addressed proactively to prevent potential future exploitation or accidental system degradation.

To mitigate CVE-2024-35829, European organizations should: 1) Apply the latest Linux kernel updates that include the patch fixing the memory leak in the Lima driver. Monitoring Linux kernel mailing lists and vendor advisories for updated stable releases is essential. 2) Audit and restrict local user access to systems running the Lima driver to minimize the risk of local exploitation. Implement strict access controls and user privilege management. 3) Monitor system memory usage and logs for signs of resource exhaustion or abnormal behavior that could indicate exploitation or the presence of memory leaks. 4) For embedded or ARM-based devices using the Lima driver, coordinate with hardware and software vendors to ensure timely firmware and kernel updates. 5) In environments where kernel updates are delayed, consider isolating affected systems or disabling the Lima driver if feasible, to prevent memory leaks. 6) Incorporate this vulnerability into vulnerability management and patching workflows to ensure continuous remediation and risk assessment.