CVE-2024-40930 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel's wireless networking subsystem, specifically within the cfg80211 component responsible for managing Wi-Fi configuration and operations. The issue pertains to the parsing of the High-Efficiency (HE) operation element, which is part of the 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) standard. The vulnerability arises because the kernel did not properly validate the length of the HE operation element before parsing it. Improper validation can lead to out-of-bounds reads or writes, potentially causing memory corruption or kernel crashes. This flaw could be exploited by an attacker within wireless range who crafts malicious Wi-Fi management frames containing malformed HE operation elements. By sending these frames, the attacker could trigger a denial-of-service (DoS) condition by crashing the kernel or, in a worst-case scenario, execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges if the memory corruption is leveraged effectively. The vulnerability affects Linux kernel versions containing the specified commit hashes prior to the patch. The fix involves adding proper length validation to ensure the HE operation element is correctly sized before parsing, mitigating the risk of memory corruption. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and the vulnerability was published on July 12, 2024. No CVSS score has been assigned yet.

For European organizations, this vulnerability presents a significant risk primarily to systems running Linux kernels with Wi-Fi 6 support enabled, especially those in environments with wireless connectivity such as corporate offices, public Wi-Fi hotspots, and industrial IoT deployments. Exploitation could lead to denial-of-service conditions, disrupting critical services and potentially causing operational downtime. In sensitive environments, such as government agencies, financial institutions, and critical infrastructure operators, a kernel crash or compromise could lead to loss of data integrity, interruption of services, and increased exposure to further attacks. Since the attack requires proximity to the wireless network, organizations with public-facing or poorly secured Wi-Fi networks are at higher risk. Additionally, embedded Linux devices using Wi-Fi 6 chips, common in industrial and telecommunications sectors, could be affected, increasing the attack surface. The lack of known exploits reduces immediate threat but does not eliminate the risk, especially as attackers may develop exploits following public disclosure.

Organizations should promptly update their Linux kernel to the latest patched version that includes the fix for CVE-2024-40930. For systems where immediate patching is not feasible, network administrators should consider disabling Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) support if possible, or restrict wireless access to trusted devices only. Employing wireless intrusion detection systems (WIDS) to monitor for malformed management frames can provide early warning of exploitation attempts. Additionally, segmenting wireless networks and enforcing strong authentication and encryption protocols (WPA3) can reduce the risk of unauthorized access. For embedded devices, coordinate with vendors to obtain firmware updates addressing this vulnerability. Regularly auditing wireless infrastructure and applying strict access controls will further mitigate exposure. Finally, organizations should monitor security advisories for any emerging exploit reports and be prepared to respond to incidents involving this vulnerability.