CVE-2024-41061 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel, specifically within the Direct Rendering Manager (DRM) subsystem for AMD graphics, in the component handling display management (drm/amd/display). The flaw arises from an array index out-of-bounds condition in the function dml2_calculate_rq_and_dlg_params(), which is part of the Display Microarchitecture Library 2 (dml2). The vulnerability occurs because the variable out_lowest_state_idx, which is used as an index to access elements in the FCLKChangeSupport array, can take a value greater than 1, leading to potential out-of-bounds access. The root cause is that the dml2 core currently assigns identical values to all elements of the FCLKChangeSupport array, but the code does not enforce bounds checking on the index used to access this array. The fix implemented involves always using index 0 in the condition to prevent out-of-bounds access, effectively avoiding the use of the variable index that could exceed the array bounds. This vulnerability is a memory safety issue that could lead to undefined behavior, including possible kernel crashes or memory corruption. However, there is no indication that this flaw has been exploited in the wild, and no CVSS score has been assigned yet. The affected versions correspond to specific Linux kernel commits identified by the hash 7966f319c66d9468623c6a6a017ecbc0dd79be75. The vulnerability is technical and low-level, impacting the AMD GPU driver within the Linux kernel's DRM subsystem.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-41061 depends largely on their use of Linux systems with AMD graphics hardware, particularly those running affected kernel versions. Potential impacts include system instability or crashes due to kernel memory corruption, which could disrupt critical services or workloads. In environments where Linux servers or workstations are used for graphics-intensive tasks or GPU-accelerated computing, this vulnerability could degrade availability or reliability. While there is no evidence of exploitation, the out-of-bounds access could theoretically be leveraged by a local attacker or malicious software to escalate privileges or cause denial of service. Confidentiality and integrity impacts are less likely unless combined with other vulnerabilities. Given the kernel-level nature of the flaw, any successful exploitation could have significant consequences on system stability and security. European organizations relying on Linux-based infrastructure with AMD GPUs, including cloud providers, research institutions, and enterprises using Linux desktops or servers, should consider this vulnerability seriously to maintain operational continuity and security.

To mitigate CVE-2024-41061, European organizations should: 1) Apply the official Linux kernel patches that fix the out-of-bounds access in the drm/amd/display driver as soon as they become available, ensuring that the kernel version is updated to include the fix. 2) Conduct an inventory of Linux systems with AMD GPUs to identify affected kernel versions and prioritize patching accordingly. 3) For systems where immediate patching is not feasible, consider temporarily disabling AMD GPU features or using alternative drivers if possible to reduce exposure. 4) Monitor system logs and kernel messages for signs of instability or crashes related to the DRM subsystem that could indicate attempts to exploit this vulnerability. 5) Implement strict access controls and limit local user privileges to reduce the risk of local exploitation. 6) Engage with Linux distribution vendors for backported patches and security advisories to ensure timely updates. 7) Incorporate this vulnerability into vulnerability management and incident response plans to ensure rapid detection and remediation.