CVE-2024-41002 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel, specifically within the cryptographic subsystem related to the Hisilicon SEC (Security Engine) driver. The issue concerns improper resource management during the release of SEC resources. The vulnerability arises because the AIV (a specific SEC resource) is not released properly when the SEC resources are freed, leading to a memory leak. In kernel space, memory leaks can degrade system performance and stability over time, potentially causing denial of service conditions if exploited or left unmitigated. The fix involves modifying the SEC resource release function to also release the AIV resources, thereby preventing the memory leak. This vulnerability does not appear to allow direct code execution or privilege escalation but can impact system reliability and availability. The affected versions are specific Linux kernel commits identified by their hashes, indicating the issue is present in certain recent kernel builds. There are no known exploits in the wild at this time, and no CVSS score has been assigned yet.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2024-41002 is on system stability and availability rather than confidentiality or integrity. Systems running affected Linux kernel versions with the Hisilicon SEC driver enabled may experience gradual memory exhaustion, leading to degraded performance or crashes. This can affect critical infrastructure, cloud services, and enterprise environments relying on Linux servers, especially those utilizing Hisilicon hardware or SEC cryptographic acceleration. In sectors such as telecommunications, finance, and government, where Linux servers are prevalent, prolonged memory leaks could disrupt services and increase operational costs due to unplanned downtime or maintenance. Although no direct data breach or privilege escalation is indicated, the vulnerability could be leveraged as part of a broader attack chain aiming to degrade system availability or cause denial of service. European organizations with high availability requirements should prioritize patching to maintain service continuity.

To mitigate this vulnerability, organizations should: 1) Identify Linux systems running kernel versions that include the affected Hisilicon SEC driver commits. 2) Apply the official Linux kernel patches that address the memory leak by ensuring the AIV resources are released properly alongside SEC resources. 3) If immediate patching is not feasible, monitor system memory usage closely on affected hosts to detect abnormal memory growth indicative of leaks. 4) Limit exposure by restricting access to systems running the vulnerable kernel, especially in multi-tenant or cloud environments. 5) Engage with hardware vendors to confirm if their Hisilicon-based devices or modules require firmware or driver updates. 6) Incorporate this vulnerability into vulnerability management and incident response processes to ensure timely detection and remediation. 7) Test patches in staging environments to avoid regressions in cryptographic functions or system stability.