CVE-2024-36959 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel's pinctrl subsystem, specifically within the device tree handling code. The flaw involves a reference count leak in the function pinctrl_dt_to_map(). This function is responsible for mapping pin control configurations from the device tree, which is a data structure used to describe hardware layouts to the kernel. The vulnerability arises when the allocation of a property name buffer fails; in this failure scenario, the code neglects to decrement the reference count it previously incremented. This leads to a reference count leak because the cleanup function pinctrl_dt_free_maps(), which normally handles dropping references, is not invoked in this error path. The consequence of this leak is that kernel resources associated with pin control mappings are not properly freed, potentially causing resource exhaustion or memory leaks over time. While this issue does not directly enable code execution or privilege escalation, it can degrade system stability and reliability, especially on systems heavily reliant on device tree configurations for hardware management. The vulnerability affects multiple Linux kernel versions as indicated by the affected commit hashes, and it has been officially published and acknowledged by the Linux project. There are no known exploits in the wild at this time, and no CVSS score has been assigned yet. The fix involves ensuring that the reference count is properly decremented when the allocation fails, preventing the leak and maintaining kernel resource integrity.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-36959 primarily concerns system stability and reliability rather than direct security breaches such as data leaks or unauthorized access. Organizations running Linux-based systems that utilize device tree configurations—common in embedded systems, industrial control systems, and certain server environments—may experience increased risk of kernel resource leaks leading to degraded performance or potential system crashes over extended periods. This can disrupt critical infrastructure operations, manufacturing processes, or services relying on Linux-based hardware platforms. While the vulnerability does not currently have known exploits, the resource leak could be leveraged in a denial-of-service scenario if an attacker can repeatedly trigger the failure condition, causing kernel resource exhaustion. European entities with large-scale deployments of Linux in embedded or IoT devices, telecommunications equipment, or specialized hardware should be particularly vigilant. The indirect impact includes potential downtime, increased maintenance costs, and operational disruptions, which could affect compliance with service level agreements and regulatory requirements around system availability and reliability.

To mitigate CVE-2024-36959, European organizations should prioritize applying the official Linux kernel patches that address the reference count leak in the pinctrl device tree code. This involves updating to the latest stable kernel versions where the fix has been integrated. For environments where immediate patching is not feasible, organizations should monitor system logs for signs of resource leaks or kernel warnings related to pinctrl or device tree operations. Implementing kernel memory leak detection tools and resource monitoring can help identify abnormal behavior early. Additionally, organizations should review and test their device tree configurations to ensure they do not trigger the failure condition unnecessarily. For embedded and IoT devices, firmware updates incorporating the patched kernel should be deployed promptly. Network segmentation and limiting access to systems with vulnerable kernels can reduce the risk of exploitation attempts. Finally, maintaining an inventory of Linux kernel versions in use across all systems will facilitate targeted patch management and risk assessment.