CVE-2024-46770 is a vulnerability in the Linux kernel affecting the ice network driver, which is used for Intel Ethernet devices. The issue arises during the device reset process. Specifically, the vulnerability is triggered when ethtool callbacks are executed while a network device reset is in progress. During this reset, certain resources are deleted, but ethtool commands such as retrieving coalesce settings may still attempt to access these now-invalid resources. This leads to a NULL pointer dereference in the kernel, causing a kernel oops (crash) and potentially destabilizing the system. The root cause is that the netif_device_attach/detach calls were not properly integrated into the device reset flow, allowing ethtool operations to run concurrently with device reset without proper synchronization. The vulnerability can be reproduced by triggering a reset on the network interface via the sysfs interface and simultaneously issuing an ethtool command to get coalesce settings, resulting in a kernel crash. The fix involves calling netif_device_detach before reset to prevent ethtool commands from accessing the device during reset, which causes ethtool to return a "No such device" error instead of causing a NULL pointer dereference. After reset, netif_device_attach is called to restore normal operation. This vulnerability does not require user interaction beyond issuing commands on the system and does not require authentication if the attacker has local access. There are no known exploits in the wild at the time of publication. The vulnerability affects Linux kernel versions containing the ice driver prior to the patch, notably kernel 6.10.0-rc7+ as referenced in the report. The impact is a denial of service via kernel crash, which could be leveraged for local privilege escalation or disruption of network services.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily to servers and network infrastructure running vulnerable Linux kernels with Intel ice network drivers. Many enterprises, data centers, and cloud providers in Europe rely on Linux-based systems for critical network functions. A kernel crash induced by this vulnerability could lead to denial of service, disrupting network connectivity and impacting business operations. In environments where high availability and uptime are critical, such as financial institutions, telecommunications, and government networks, this could cause significant operational and reputational damage. Additionally, if exploited by a malicious insider or attacker with local access, it could be used as a stepping stone for privilege escalation or further compromise. Although remote exploitation is unlikely without local access, the widespread use of Linux in European infrastructure means that the vulnerability could be leveraged in targeted attacks or insider threat scenarios. The lack of known exploits reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the potential for future exploitation once the vulnerability details are public.

European organizations should prioritize updating their Linux kernels to versions that include the patch for CVE-2024-46770. Specifically, ensure that the ice driver reset flow includes netif_device_attach/detach calls as per the fix. System administrators should audit their network devices to identify those using the Intel ice driver and verify kernel versions. In environments where immediate patching is not feasible, temporary mitigation includes restricting local user access to systems running vulnerable kernels to prevent unauthorized ethtool commands during device resets. Monitoring kernel logs for oops or crashes related to the ice driver can help detect attempted exploitation. Additionally, organizations should implement strict access controls and limit the ability to execute ethtool commands to trusted administrators only. Network segmentation can reduce the risk of lateral movement if a system is compromised. Finally, coordinate with Linux distribution vendors and apply security updates promptly as they become available.