CVE-2024-36957 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel, specifically within the octeontx2-af driver component. The issue arises from an off-by-one read error when handling user-supplied data. The vulnerable code attempts to copy count + 1 bytes from a userspace buffer using the memdup_user function, but the userspace buffer only guarantees count bytes are valid and accessible. This results in an out-of-bounds read of one byte beyond the intended buffer size. The root cause is that the code tries to ensure the copied buffer is null-terminated by reading an extra byte without verifying its validity. The fix involves replacing memdup_user with memdup_user_nul, which safely copies the buffer and ensures null termination without reading beyond the allocated userspace buffer. This vulnerability is a classic off-by-one read flaw that can lead to information disclosure or potentially trigger undefined behavior in kernel space due to reading uninitialized or invalid memory. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the vulnerability affects multiple Linux kernel versions as indicated by the affected commit hashes. Since the Linux kernel is widely deployed across servers, desktops, embedded devices, and cloud infrastructure, this vulnerability has broad implications. The flaw is rooted in kernel code that interacts with userspace, which may be exploitable by a local unprivileged user or a malicious process to gain unauthorized access to kernel memory or cause instability. However, exploitation complexity is likely moderate since it requires crafting specific userspace input to trigger the off-by-one read. No authentication or user interaction beyond local code execution is needed, but remote exploitation is unlikely without additional vulnerabilities. The absence of a CVSS score suggests this is a newly disclosed issue pending formal severity assessment.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-36957 depends on the deployment of affected Linux kernel versions, particularly those using the octeontx2-af driver, which is relevant to certain network and embedded platforms. Potential impacts include unauthorized disclosure of kernel memory contents, which could leak sensitive information such as cryptographic keys or credentials. Additionally, the off-by-one read could be leveraged as a stepping stone for privilege escalation or denial of service attacks by causing kernel instability or crashes. Organizations relying on Linux-based infrastructure, including cloud providers, telecom operators, and critical infrastructure entities, may face increased risk if attackers exploit this flaw to compromise system integrity or availability. Given the widespread use of Linux in European data centers and industrial control systems, the vulnerability could affect confidentiality and availability of critical services. However, the requirement for local code execution limits the attack surface primarily to insiders or compromised hosts. The lack of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat of future weaponization. Organizations in sectors with high regulatory requirements for data protection, such as finance, healthcare, and government, should prioritize addressing this vulnerability to maintain compliance and security posture.

European organizations should promptly apply the Linux kernel patches that replace the vulnerable memdup_user call with memdup_user_nul in the octeontx2-af driver. Since the vulnerability is in kernel code, updating to the latest stable kernel versions provided by trusted Linux distributions is the most effective mitigation. Organizations using custom or embedded Linux builds should coordinate with vendors or maintainers to integrate the fix. Additionally, implementing strict access controls and monitoring for unusual local activity can reduce the risk of exploitation by limiting unprivileged user capabilities. Employing kernel hardening techniques such as Kernel Address Space Layout Randomization (KASLR), Kernel Page Table Isolation (KPTI), and seccomp filters can further mitigate exploitation impact. Regular vulnerability scanning and patch management processes should be enforced to detect and remediate vulnerable kernel versions. For critical systems, consider isolating or restricting access to hosts running affected kernels until patches are applied. Finally, maintain awareness of threat intelligence updates in case exploit code emerges.