CVE-2024-41062 is a concurrency vulnerability in the Linux kernel's Bluetooth L2CAP (Logical Link Control and Adaptation Protocol) subsystem. The flaw arises due to a race condition between the socket close operation and the asynchronous reception of Bluetooth data packets handled by the hci_rx_work kernel thread. Specifically, when a socket is closed via the sock_close system call, the socket structure is released and freed (via l2cap_sock_release, l2cap_sock_kill, and sk_free). However, the hci_rx_work thread, which processes incoming HCI ACL data packets and calls l2cap_sock_recv_cb to handle received frames, may concurrently access the socket without proper synchronization. If the socket is freed before hci_rx_work completes processing, it results in a use-after-free condition where the kernel accesses invalid memory. This can lead to kernel memory corruption, potential crashes (denial of service), or possibly privilege escalation if exploited. The patch introduces a mutex lock (chan mutex) to synchronize access between the socket release and the receive callback, and sets the channel data pointer to NULL when the socket is dead to prevent use of stale pointers. This vulnerability affects Linux kernel versions prior to the patch commit identified by the hash 1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild. The issue is rooted in kernel-level Bluetooth socket handling, impacting systems that use Bluetooth L2CAP sockets, which are common in many Linux-based devices and servers supporting Bluetooth connectivity.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-41062 depends on their use of Linux systems with Bluetooth enabled, especially those that rely on Bluetooth L2CAP sockets for communication. Potential impacts include system instability or crashes due to kernel memory corruption, leading to denial of service conditions on critical infrastructure or endpoints. In worst-case scenarios, an attacker with local access could exploit this race condition to execute arbitrary code in kernel context, potentially escalating privileges and compromising system integrity and confidentiality. This is particularly concerning for organizations in sectors such as manufacturing, healthcare, and transportation, where Linux-based embedded systems with Bluetooth are prevalent. Additionally, enterprises using Linux servers or workstations with Bluetooth enabled may face operational disruptions or security breaches if exploited. While remote exploitation is unlikely without local access or Bluetooth proximity, insider threats or malware with Bluetooth access could leverage this vulnerability. The lack of known exploits reduces immediate risk, but the vulnerability's presence in widely deployed Linux kernels necessitates prompt attention to avoid future exploitation.

1. Apply the official Linux kernel patch that introduces the chan mutex synchronization and nullifies channel data upon socket release. This is the definitive fix to prevent the race condition. 2. For organizations unable to immediately patch, consider disabling Bluetooth functionality on critical Linux systems where it is not required, reducing the attack surface. 3. Implement strict access controls and monitoring on systems with Bluetooth enabled to detect unusual kernel crashes or suspicious Bluetooth activity. 4. Employ kernel hardening techniques such as Kernel Address Space Layout Randomization (KASLR) and Kernel Page Table Isolation (KPTI) to mitigate exploitation impact. 5. Regularly update Linux distributions to incorporate security patches and monitor vendor advisories for backported fixes. 6. For embedded Linux devices, coordinate with vendors to ensure timely firmware updates addressing this vulnerability. 7. Conduct security audits focusing on Bluetooth usage and kernel stability to identify potential exploitation attempts or system weaknesses.