CVE-2024-42262 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel specifically within the Direct Rendering Manager (DRM) subsystem's v3d driver, which is responsible for managing graphics processing on certain hardware. The issue arises from a potential memory leak in the performance extension of the v3d driver. During the main loop operation, if the kernel fails to fetch userspace memory, the DRM synchronization objects (syncobjs) that have been looked up up to that point are not properly released due to a missing call to drm_syncobj_put. This results in a memory leak as these syncobjs remain allocated without being freed. The vulnerability was addressed by introducing a common cleanup helper function that is exported and used to ensure proper release of these resources even when fetching userspace memory fails. The fix was backported (cherry-picked) from a specific commit (484de39fa5f5b7bd0c5f2e2c5265167250ef7501). This vulnerability does not have any known exploits in the wild as of the publication date and does not have an assigned CVSS score. The affected versions are identified by specific git commit hashes, indicating it impacts certain recent Linux kernel builds containing the vulnerable code. The flaw is primarily a resource management issue that could lead to increased memory consumption and potential denial of service if exploited repeatedly or under heavy load conditions.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-42262 is primarily related to system stability and availability rather than direct compromise of confidentiality or integrity. Systems running vulnerable Linux kernels with the affected v3d DRM driver could experience memory leaks that degrade performance over time, potentially leading to resource exhaustion and denial of service conditions. This is particularly relevant for organizations relying on Linux-based infrastructure for graphics-intensive applications or embedded systems using the v3d driver, such as certain ARM-based platforms or devices with Broadcom VideoCore GPUs. While no direct remote code execution or privilege escalation is indicated, the memory leak could be leveraged in targeted denial of service attacks or cause operational disruptions in critical environments. European enterprises with large-scale Linux deployments, cloud providers, or embedded device manufacturers should be aware of this vulnerability to maintain system reliability and prevent service interruptions.

To mitigate CVE-2024-42262, organizations should promptly apply the official Linux kernel patches that include the fix for the v3d DRM driver memory leak. Since the fix involves a kernel-level change, updating to a patched kernel version is the most effective measure. For environments where immediate kernel upgrades are challenging, monitoring system memory usage and implementing automated alerts for abnormal memory consumption related to DRM processes can help detect potential exploitation or leaks. Additionally, restricting access to systems running vulnerable kernels and limiting untrusted userspace interactions with the DRM subsystem can reduce the risk of triggering the memory leak. For embedded or specialized hardware using the v3d driver, coordinate with hardware vendors or Linux distribution maintainers to obtain timely updates. Finally, ensure that system and application logs are monitored for unusual errors related to DRM or sync objects to facilitate early detection.