CVE-2024-42223 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel specifically within the DVB (Digital Video Broadcasting) frontends driver for the tda10048 device. The issue arises from an integer overflow condition during the calculation involving the variable state->xtal_hz, which represents the crystal oscillator frequency and can be as high as 16 MHz. When this value is multiplied by pll_mfactor, the result can exceed the maximum value storable in a 32-bit integer, causing an overflow. This overflow can lead to incorrect calculations affecting the device's operation. The vulnerability was addressed by introducing a 64-bit variable to safely hold the multiplication result, thereby preventing the overflow. The flaw is rooted in improper handling of arithmetic operations on potentially large values in kernel driver code. Although no known exploits are reported in the wild, the vulnerability exists in the Linux kernel's DVB frontend subsystem, which is used for handling digital TV tuner hardware. The affected versions are identified by a specific commit hash, indicating that the issue is present in certain kernel builds prior to the fix. The vulnerability does not have an assigned CVSS score yet, and no direct evidence suggests exploitation or broader impact beyond the DVB frontend driver functionality.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-42223 is primarily relevant to those using Linux systems with DVB frontend hardware relying on the tda10048 driver. This includes media companies, broadcasters, and enterprises using Linux-based set-top boxes or digital TV receivers. The integer overflow could potentially cause device malfunction or instability, leading to denial of service conditions on affected hardware. While this vulnerability does not directly expose confidentiality or integrity risks, disruption of media services or embedded systems could affect operational availability. Given the widespread use of Linux in various sectors across Europe, organizations deploying Linux kernels with DVB support should be aware of this flaw. However, the scope is limited to systems with the specific hardware and driver, reducing the overall risk footprint. The lack of known exploits and the technical nature of the flaw suggest a lower immediate threat level but warrant patching to maintain system stability and prevent potential future exploitation.

Organizations should verify if their Linux systems include the tda10048 DVB frontend driver and assess whether the kernel versions in use contain the vulnerable code identified by the commit hash. Applying the latest Linux kernel updates that incorporate the fix—specifically the change to use a 64-bit variable for the calculation—is the primary mitigation step. For embedded or specialized devices, firmware or driver updates from hardware vendors should be sought. System administrators should audit their device inventories for DVB hardware and ensure that any media-related Linux systems are patched promptly. Additionally, monitoring system logs for unusual DVB driver errors or crashes can help detect potential exploitation attempts or instability caused by this vulnerability. Since no known exploits exist, proactive patching and system hardening remain the best defense. Organizations should also maintain robust update policies for Linux kernels and drivers, especially in environments with media or broadcast infrastructure.