CVE-2024-36915 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel's Near Field Communication (NFC) subsystem, specifically within the Logical Link Control Protocol (LLCP) socket option handling code. The issue arises from unsafe memory copying operations in the function nfc_llcp_setsockopt(), where the kernel uses copy_from_sockptr() to copy data from user space pointers without adequate bounds checking. This leads to slab-out-of-bounds memory reads, as detected by Kernel Address Sanitizer (KASAN), indicating a potential for memory corruption or information disclosure. The vulnerability was reported by syzbot, an automated kernel fuzzer, which found that copy_from_sockptr() calls could read beyond allocated memory regions. The recommended fix involves replacing unsafe copy_from_sockptr() calls with the safer copy_safe_from_sockptr(), which includes proper boundary checks to prevent out-of-bounds access. The vulnerability affects Linux kernel versions prior to the patch and is related to the NFC LLCP socket option setting mechanism, which is used in NFC communications. The detailed kernel stack trace shows the fault occurring during setsockopt system calls, which are used to configure socket options at runtime. Although no public exploits are known at this time, the vulnerability could be exploited by a local attacker or a process with the ability to invoke setsockopt on NFC LLCP sockets, potentially leading to kernel memory corruption, information leakage, or system instability. The vulnerability does not require user interaction beyond invoking the vulnerable system call, but it does require the ability to interact with the NFC subsystem at the kernel level.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-36915 depends largely on the deployment of Linux systems with NFC capabilities. Many enterprises and public sector entities in Europe use Linux-based servers and embedded devices, some of which may include NFC hardware for access control, payment systems, or secure communications. Exploitation of this vulnerability could allow attackers to cause kernel memory corruption, leading to denial of service (system crashes) or potentially privilege escalation if combined with other vulnerabilities. This could disrupt critical services, especially in sectors relying on NFC technology such as transportation, banking, and government facilities. Additionally, the vulnerability could be leveraged to extract sensitive kernel memory contents, risking confidentiality breaches. Given the widespread use of Linux in European infrastructure and the increasing adoption of NFC for secure transactions and identity verification, this vulnerability poses a moderate risk. However, the requirement for local access or the ability to invoke specific socket options limits remote exploitation, reducing the likelihood of widespread attacks but still representing a significant threat in environments where NFC is actively used and accessible.

European organizations should prioritize patching Linux kernels to versions that include the fix replacing copy_from_sockptr() with copy_safe_from_sockptr() in the NFC LLCP code. Since no official patch links are provided, organizations should monitor Linux kernel mailing lists and trusted repositories for the updated kernel releases addressing CVE-2024-36915. In the interim, organizations can mitigate risk by disabling NFC functionality on Linux systems where it is not required, thus reducing the attack surface. For systems requiring NFC, restrict access to the NFC subsystem and limit permissions to invoke setsockopt on NFC sockets to trusted users and processes only. Employ kernel hardening techniques such as Kernel Address Sanitizer (KASAN) in testing environments to detect similar issues proactively. Additionally, implement strict monitoring and alerting on kernel logs for unusual setsockopt calls or kernel memory errors. Regularly audit and update Linux systems to ensure all security patches are applied promptly. Finally, consider network segmentation and access controls to isolate NFC-enabled devices from critical infrastructure where possible.