CVE-2024-40932 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel specifically within the Direct Rendering Manager (DRM) subsystem for Exynos platforms, in the vidi driver component. The issue arises from a memory leak in the .get_modes() function, where a duplicated Extended Display Identification Data (EDID) structure is allocated but never freed. EDID is a metadata format that allows a display to communicate its capabilities to a graphics card. The memory leak occurs because the duplicated EDID data remains allocated in memory without proper deallocation, leading to gradual consumption of system memory resources over time. While this vulnerability does not directly allow for code execution or privilege escalation, the leak can degrade system performance, potentially causing instability or denial of service (DoS) conditions on affected systems. The flaw affects Linux kernel versions identified by the commit hash 1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2 and presumably earlier versions prior to the patch. There are no known exploits in the wild at this time, and no CVSS score has been assigned. The vulnerability was published on July 12, 2024, and has been addressed by the Linux kernel maintainers by ensuring that the duplicated EDID memory is properly freed after use.

For European organizations, the primary impact of this vulnerability is related to system stability and resource management on Linux systems running on Exynos hardware, which is commonly found in certain embedded devices and mobile platforms. Organizations using Linux servers or workstations with affected kernel versions and Exynos DRM drivers may experience memory leaks leading to degraded performance or potential system crashes over prolonged operation. This could affect critical infrastructure relying on Linux-based embedded systems or specialized hardware, such as telecommunications equipment, industrial control systems, or IoT devices. While the vulnerability does not directly compromise confidentiality or integrity, the availability of affected systems could be impaired, potentially disrupting business operations or service delivery. Given the absence of known exploits, the immediate risk is low, but unpatched systems could become targets for denial-of-service attacks exploiting this memory leak to exhaust system resources.

To mitigate this vulnerability, European organizations should prioritize updating their Linux kernel to the latest patched version that includes the fix for CVE-2024-40932. Specifically, they should ensure that the kernel version includes the commit that frees the duplicated EDID in the Exynos vidi driver's .get_modes() function. For embedded or specialized devices where kernel updates are not straightforward, organizations should coordinate with hardware vendors or device manufacturers to obtain firmware or kernel patches. Additionally, monitoring system memory usage on affected devices can help detect abnormal memory consumption patterns indicative of the leak. Implementing automated alerts for unusual resource usage and scheduling regular system reboots as a temporary workaround can reduce the risk of prolonged degradation. Network segmentation and limiting access to vulnerable devices can also reduce the attack surface. Finally, organizations should maintain an inventory of devices running affected Linux kernel versions on Exynos hardware to prioritize patching efforts.