CVE-2024-40941 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel's wireless driver stack, specifically within the Intel wireless driver component 'iwlwifi' and its MVM (mac80211-based) implementation. The issue arises from improper handling of firmware notifications: if the firmware sends a notification indicating it has more data than it actually does, the driver reads beyond the allocated buffer for that notification. This out-of-bounds read can lead to memory corruption or information disclosure. The vulnerability was discovered and reported via KFENCE, a kernel memory safety tool designed to detect out-of-bounds accesses. The patch removes the unsafe read and suppresses printing of the buffer by default, limiting exposure. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild. The affected versions correspond to specific Linux kernel commits prior to the fix. This vulnerability is a classic example of a buffer over-read caused by trusting unverified firmware data, which can compromise kernel memory safety and potentially lead to system instability or privilege escalation if exploited. However, exploitation complexity is likely moderate as it requires interaction with the wireless firmware and triggering a malformed notification. No CVSS score is assigned yet, and no authentication or user interaction details are specified, but the vulnerability resides in a critical kernel component that handles wireless communication.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-40941 could be significant depending on their reliance on Linux-based systems with Intel wireless hardware. Many enterprises, government agencies, and critical infrastructure operators in Europe use Linux servers, desktops, or embedded systems that include Intel Wi-Fi chipsets. Exploitation could lead to kernel memory corruption, potentially allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges, causing confidentiality breaches, system crashes, or persistent compromise. This is particularly concerning for sectors with stringent security requirements such as finance, healthcare, telecommunications, and public administration. The vulnerability could also affect IoT devices and industrial control systems running Linux with vulnerable wireless drivers, increasing the attack surface. Although no active exploits are reported, the presence of this vulnerability in the kernel means that attackers with local access or the ability to manipulate wireless firmware communications could leverage it. Given the widespread use of Linux and Intel wireless hardware in Europe, the threat could affect a broad range of systems, potentially disrupting operations or enabling lateral movement within networks.

European organizations should prioritize applying the official Linux kernel patches that address CVE-2024-40941 as soon as they become available in their distribution updates. Specifically, updating to the latest stable kernel versions that include the fix is critical. Organizations should also audit their systems to identify devices using Intel wireless chipsets with the vulnerable iwlwifi driver. For systems where immediate patching is not feasible, consider disabling wireless interfaces or restricting access to trusted users only to reduce exposure. Monitoring kernel logs and enabling kernel tracing tools may help detect anomalous firmware notifications or suspicious wireless driver behavior. Additionally, organizations should ensure firmware for Intel wireless devices is updated to the latest vendor versions, as firmware updates may mitigate malformed notifications. Network segmentation and strict access controls can limit the ability of attackers to reach vulnerable systems. Finally, incorporating this vulnerability into vulnerability management and incident response plans will improve preparedness for potential exploitation attempts.