CVE-2024-46823 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel related to the kunit testing framework, specifically within the overflow_allocation_test function. The issue arises because the 'device_name' array, which is declared inside the scope of the overflow_allocation_test function, is incorrectly used as a driver name outside its scope when invoking 'kunit_driver_create' from 'kunit_device_register'. This misuse leads to undefined behavior (UB) and can trigger a kernel panic when Kernel Address Sanitizer (KASAN) is enabled. The root cause is the use of a local variable beyond its lifetime, causing invalid memory references. The fix involves removing the 'device_name' array and passing the device name directly as an ASCII string to 'kunit_device_register', thereby eliminating the out-of-scope reference and preventing the kernel panic. This vulnerability affects specific Linux kernel versions identified by the commit hash 1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2. There are no known exploits in the wild at this time, and no CVSS score has been assigned yet. The vulnerability is primarily a stability and reliability issue triggered under testing conditions with KASAN enabled, which is typically used by developers and security researchers to detect memory errors in the kernel.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-46823 is primarily related to system stability and reliability during kernel testing and development rather than direct exploitation in production environments. Since the vulnerability causes a kernel panic under KASAN-enabled testing scenarios, it could disrupt kernel testing workflows, delay development cycles, and potentially introduce risks if unstable kernel builds are deployed inadvertently. Organizations that maintain custom Linux kernels or contribute to kernel development, such as research institutions, technology companies, and critical infrastructure operators using Linux-based systems, may experience interruptions or require patching to avoid test failures. However, the vulnerability does not appear to allow privilege escalation, remote code execution, or data compromise directly. Therefore, the confidentiality and integrity of systems are not immediately at risk. The availability impact is limited to kernel panics during testing, which could affect continuous integration pipelines or automated testing environments. Overall, the threat is more relevant to kernel developers and maintainers than to general production users.

European organizations should ensure that Linux kernel versions in use are updated to include the patch that removes the out-of-scope 'device_name' variable and passes the device name correctly as an ASCII string. Specifically, kernel maintainers and developers should pull the latest stable kernel updates or apply the relevant commit identified by the hash 1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2. It is advisable to enable KASAN in controlled testing environments only and avoid deploying KASAN-enabled kernels in production. Organizations should also review their kernel testing frameworks and continuous integration pipelines to detect and handle kernel panics gracefully, minimizing disruption. Additionally, maintain rigorous version control and patch management practices to ensure that all Linux kernel instances, especially those used for development and testing, are up to date. Monitoring Linux kernel mailing lists and security advisories will help stay informed about any emerging exploits or related vulnerabilities. Finally, organizations should conduct internal audits to verify that no unstable or unpatched kernel versions are running in production environments.