CVE-2024-44936 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel specifically affecting the power supply driver for the rt5033 device. The issue originated from a code refactoring commit (3a93da231c12) that aimed to improve driver management by switching to the devm_power_supply_register() helper function. During this refactoring, the call to i2c_set_clientdata and the associated remove callback were removed. However, other parts of the driver still relied on the i2c client data being set, which led to a kernel oops—a type of kernel crash caused by invalid memory access or dereferencing null pointers. This indicates a use-after-free or null pointer dereference scenario within the driver code, which can cause the kernel to panic or crash, resulting in denial of service. The fix involved restoring the call to i2c_set_clientdata to ensure the driver’s internal data structures remain consistent and prevent the kernel oops. This vulnerability is rooted in a subtle regression introduced by a code cleanup rather than a traditional security flaw like buffer overflow or privilege escalation. No known exploits are reported in the wild, and the vulnerability affects specific Linux kernel versions containing the problematic commit. The vulnerability impacts the stability and reliability of the Linux kernel on systems using the rt5033 power supply driver, which is typically embedded in certain hardware platforms. Since this is a kernel-level issue, exploitation could lead to system crashes and potential denial of service but does not inherently provide privilege escalation or remote code execution vectors. The vulnerability does not require user interaction or authentication to trigger if the affected driver is active and used by the system. The absence of a CVSS score suggests it is a recently disclosed issue with limited impact scope but still critical for system stability.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2024-44936 is on system availability and reliability. Systems running affected Linux kernel versions with the rt5033 power supply driver may experience kernel crashes, leading to unexpected reboots or downtime. This can disrupt critical infrastructure, especially in environments where Linux is used for embedded systems, IoT devices, or specialized hardware relying on this power supply driver. Industries such as manufacturing, telecommunications, and critical infrastructure operators that deploy Linux-based embedded systems could face operational interruptions. While the vulnerability does not directly compromise confidentiality or integrity, repeated kernel crashes can degrade service availability and potentially cause data loss if systems are not properly backed up or if crashes occur during critical operations. European organizations with large-scale Linux deployments should be aware of this issue to maintain system stability and avoid service disruptions. The lack of known exploits reduces immediate risk, but unpatched systems remain vulnerable to accidental or triggered kernel oops events.

1. Apply the official Linux kernel patch that restores the i2c_set_clientdata call in the rt5033 power supply driver as soon as it is available from trusted Linux kernel maintainers or distribution vendors. 2. For organizations using custom or embedded Linux kernels, review the kernel source code to verify whether the problematic commit (3a93da231c12) is present and backport the fix if necessary. 3. Conduct thorough testing of kernel updates in staging environments to ensure the fix does not introduce regressions. 4. Monitor system logs for kernel oops messages related to the rt5033 driver to detect potential exploitation or accidental triggers. 5. Where possible, isolate or disable the rt5033 power supply driver on systems where it is not required to reduce attack surface and risk of crashes. 6. Maintain regular backups and implement robust system monitoring to quickly recover from any unexpected downtime caused by kernel crashes. 7. Coordinate with hardware vendors to confirm the presence of the rt5033 device and ensure firmware and driver updates are aligned with kernel patches. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on source code verification, targeted driver management, and proactive monitoring specific to this vulnerability.