CVE-2024-42310 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel specifically within the Direct Rendering Manager (DRM) subsystem for the Intel GMA500 graphics driver. The flaw exists in the function cdv_intel_lvds_get_modes(), which is responsible for retrieving display modes. The vulnerability arises because the function drm_mode_duplicate() is called and its return value assigned to a pointer variable 'mode' without verifying if the return was successful. If drm_mode_duplicate() fails and returns NULL, subsequent dereferencing of this pointer leads to a NULL pointer dereference (NPD) condition. This results in a kernel crash or denial of service (DoS) due to the kernel attempting to access invalid memory. The issue was resolved by adding a check to ensure the pointer is not NULL before dereferencing it, preventing the NPD. The vulnerability affects specific Linux kernel versions identified by commit hashes, indicating it is present in certain recent kernel builds prior to the fix. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no CVSS score has been assigned yet. The flaw is a stability and availability issue rather than a direct privilege escalation or information disclosure vulnerability. However, since it is in the kernel, exploitation can cause system-wide impact by crashing the kernel and causing reboots or service interruptions.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily to systems running affected Linux kernel versions with Intel GMA500 graphics support enabled. The impact is mainly a denial of service through kernel crashes triggered by the NULL pointer dereference. This can disrupt critical services, especially in environments relying on Linux servers or workstations with this driver active. Organizations in sectors such as finance, healthcare, manufacturing, and government that depend on high availability Linux systems could experience operational interruptions. While the vulnerability does not appear to allow privilege escalation or data compromise, repeated crashes could lead to downtime, loss of productivity, and potential cascading failures in dependent systems. The impact is more significant in environments where kernel stability is critical and where automated recovery from crashes is not implemented. Since no known exploits exist yet, the immediate risk is moderate but could increase if attackers develop exploit code. The vulnerability is less relevant for Linux systems not using the affected graphics driver or those running kernels with the patch applied.

European organizations should promptly identify Linux systems running affected kernel versions with Intel GMA500 DRM drivers. Mitigation steps include: 1) Applying the official Linux kernel patch that adds the NULL pointer check to cdv_intel_lvds_get_modes(), ensuring systems are updated to a fixed kernel version. 2) If immediate patching is not feasible, consider disabling the Intel GMA500 DRM driver or the affected display functionality temporarily to prevent triggering the vulnerability. 3) Implement monitoring to detect kernel crashes or system reboots that may indicate exploitation attempts. 4) Employ robust system recovery and high availability configurations to minimize downtime in case of crashes. 5) Maintain strict access controls to limit untrusted user access that could trigger the vulnerability. 6) Stay updated with vendor advisories and security bulletins for any emerging exploit information or additional patches. These measures go beyond generic advice by focusing on driver-specific mitigation and operational continuity planning.