CVE-2024-46835 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel, specifically within the AMDGPU driver component responsible for managing AMD graphics hardware. The issue arises from a potential null pointer dereference involving the 'adev->gfx.imu.funcs' pointer, which could be NULL. This flaw was detected by the smatch static analysis tool and subsequently fixed. The vulnerability relates to the drm/amdgpu subsystem, which handles Direct Rendering Manager (DRM) operations for AMD GPUs. If the pointer is NULL and the kernel attempts to dereference it, this could lead to a kernel panic or system crash, resulting in a denial of service (DoS) condition. The affected versions are identified by specific commit hashes, indicating that the issue is present in certain recent Linux kernel builds prior to the fix. There is no indication of known exploits in the wild at this time, and no CVSS score has been assigned yet. The vulnerability does not appear to involve privilege escalation or remote code execution directly but could impact system stability and availability when triggered.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2024-46835 is the potential for denial of service on systems running vulnerable Linux kernels with AMDGPU drivers. This could disrupt critical services, especially in environments relying on Linux servers or workstations with AMD graphics hardware, such as data centers, research institutions, and enterprises using Linux-based infrastructure. The impact is more pronounced in sectors where high availability is essential, including finance, healthcare, and manufacturing. Although no active exploitation is reported, the vulnerability could be leveraged by local attackers or malicious users with access to the system to cause crashes or interruptions. This may lead to operational downtime, loss of productivity, and potential cascading effects if the affected systems are part of larger distributed services or cloud environments. Confidentiality and integrity impacts are minimal since the vulnerability primarily affects availability.

To mitigate CVE-2024-46835, European organizations should promptly apply the official Linux kernel patches that address the null pointer dereference in the AMDGPU driver. Kernel updates should be prioritized on systems utilizing AMD graphics hardware, especially those in production or critical environments. Organizations should verify their kernel versions and AMDGPU driver status to identify vulnerable systems. Employing kernel live patching solutions where available can reduce downtime during patch deployment. Additionally, system administrators should monitor system logs for signs of kernel panics or crashes related to the AMDGPU driver. Restricting unprivileged user access to systems with vulnerable kernels can reduce the risk of exploitation. For environments where immediate patching is not feasible, consider disabling or limiting AMDGPU driver usage if graphics functionality is not critical. Maintaining comprehensive backups and ensuring robust incident response plans are also recommended to minimize operational impact in case of exploitation.