CVE-2024-46849 is a use-after-free vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel specifically within the ASoC (ALSA System on Chip) meson axg-card audio driver. The vulnerability arises due to improper handling of the 'card->dai_link' buffer during reallocation in the function 'meson_card_reallocate_links()'. The issue occurs because the pointer 'pad' is initialized before the buffer is reallocated, leading to a use-after-free condition when the buffer is freed and reallocated but the pointer still references the old memory. This was detected by the Kernel Address Sanitizer (KASAN) as a slab-use-after-free error during the execution of the 'axg_card_add_link' function. The vulnerability is triggered during module loading (e.g., via modprobe), and the call stack indicates that the flaw is in the sound card driver initialization routines for the meson axg platform. Exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to reading or writing freed memory, potentially causing kernel crashes (denial of service) or enabling escalation of privileges if exploited by a local attacker. The vulnerability affects Linux kernel versions containing the affected meson axg-card driver code prior to the fix, which moves the pointer initialization after the buffer reallocation to prevent use-after-free. No public exploits are currently known, and no CVSS score has been assigned yet. The vulnerability is relevant for systems running Linux kernels with the meson axg sound card driver, commonly found in ARM64-based embedded devices or SoCs using the Amlogic Meson AXG platform.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-46849 depends on the deployment of Linux systems running the affected meson axg-card driver. This vulnerability primarily affects embedded Linux devices using Amlogic Meson AXG SoCs, which are often found in consumer electronics, IoT devices, and specialized industrial equipment. If such devices are used within European enterprises or critical infrastructure, exploitation could lead to kernel crashes causing denial of service or potentially privilege escalation attacks by local users or malicious insiders. This could disrupt operations, especially in environments relying on embedded Linux systems for audio processing or control. While remote exploitation is unlikely without local access, compromised devices could serve as footholds for lateral movement or persistent threats. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk, but the vulnerability's presence in kernel-level code means that successful exploitation could severely impact confidentiality, integrity, and availability of affected systems. Organizations in sectors such as manufacturing, telecommunications, and smart city infrastructure that deploy ARM64 embedded Linux devices should be particularly vigilant.

To mitigate CVE-2024-46849, European organizations should: 1) Identify and inventory all Linux systems running kernels with the meson axg-card driver, particularly embedded devices using Amlogic Meson AXG SoCs. 2) Apply the official Linux kernel patches that fix the use-after-free by ensuring pointer initialization occurs after buffer reallocation, as indicated in the Linux kernel commit history. 3) If immediate patching is not feasible, consider disabling or unloading the affected sound card driver module to prevent exploitation, if audio functionality is not critical. 4) Implement strict access controls to limit local user access on vulnerable devices, reducing the risk of exploitation by unauthorized users. 5) Monitor system logs and kernel messages for signs of KASAN reports or unusual module loading failures that may indicate exploitation attempts. 6) Employ kernel hardening techniques such as Kernel Address Space Layout Randomization (KASLR) and enable Kernel Page Table Isolation (KPTI) where applicable to reduce exploitation likelihood. 7) Coordinate with device vendors to obtain updated firmware or kernel versions that incorporate the fix. 8) Include this vulnerability in vulnerability management and patching cycles to ensure timely remediation.