CVE-2024-41005 is a race condition vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel's netpoll subsystem, specifically within the netpoll_owner_active() function. The issue arises because the function checks if the current CPU owns a lock by reading the napi->poll_owner field non-atomically. This field indicates which CPU currently holds the lock. The vulnerability was detected by the Kernel Concurrency Sanitizer (KCSAN), which flagged a data race between net_rx_action (executing in an interrupt context) and netpoll_send_skb (executing in a task context). The race condition occurs because netpoll_owner_active() reads the poll_owner field without atomic operations, leading to inconsistent or stale values being observed. This can cause incorrect behavior in lock ownership checks, potentially leading to data corruption or kernel instability. The fix involves changing the read operation to be atomic, ensuring that the poll_owner field is read consistently and preventing race conditions. The affected versions correspond to specific Linux kernel commits identified by the hash 1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2. There are no known exploits in the wild at the time of publication, and no CVSS score has been assigned yet. The vulnerability affects the Linux kernel, which is widely used in servers, embedded systems, and various enterprise environments.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily to systems running vulnerable Linux kernel versions, including servers, network appliances, and embedded devices. Exploitation of this race condition could lead to kernel crashes or unpredictable behavior, potentially causing denial of service (DoS) conditions. In critical infrastructure or enterprise environments relying on Linux for network operations, such instability could disrupt services, impacting availability and operational continuity. Although no known exploits exist currently, the vulnerability's presence in the kernel's networking stack means that attackers with local access or the ability to trigger network-related kernel operations might exploit it to destabilize systems. This could be particularly impactful for data centers, cloud providers, and telecommunications infrastructure prevalent in Europe. Additionally, since Linux is widely deployed in government, financial, and industrial sectors across Europe, the vulnerability could affect a broad range of critical systems if left unpatched.

European organizations should prioritize updating their Linux kernel to the patched versions that include the fix for CVE-2024-41005. Specifically, kernel maintainers and system administrators should apply the atomic read fix in netpoll_owner_active() as soon as updates are available. In environments where immediate patching is not feasible, organizations should minimize exposure by restricting untrusted local user access and limiting network traffic that could trigger netpoll operations. Monitoring kernel logs for unusual netpoll-related errors or crashes can help detect exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should implement strict access controls and network segmentation to reduce the risk of an attacker gaining the necessary privileges to exploit this race condition. For embedded or specialized devices, coordinate with vendors to ensure timely firmware or kernel updates. Finally, integrating this vulnerability into vulnerability management and patching workflows will help maintain ongoing protection.