CVE-2024-46869 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel specifically related to the Bluetooth subsystem, more precisely the btintel_pcie driver. The issue stems from the driver failing to allocate memory for a critical internal data structure, struct btintel_data, which is used to store private driver data. This lack of memory allocation can lead to undefined behavior within the driver, potentially causing system instability or crashes. Since the btintel_pcie driver handles Bluetooth communication over PCIe interfaces, improper memory management here could affect the reliability and security of Bluetooth operations on affected Linux systems. The vulnerability was addressed by ensuring proper memory allocation for the struct btintel_data, thereby preventing potential faults arising from uninitialized or missing data structures. There are no known exploits in the wild at this time, and no CVSS score has been assigned yet. The affected versions appear to be specific Linux kernel commits or builds identified by the hash 6e65a09f927566f257322358d429b267548473eb, indicating a narrow window of vulnerability in recent kernel versions prior to the patch. The vulnerability does not require user interaction or authentication to manifest but depends on the presence and use of the affected Bluetooth driver component.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-46869 primarily concerns systems running Linux kernels with the vulnerable btintel_pcie driver enabled and actively used for Bluetooth communications. This includes servers, desktops, and embedded devices that rely on Bluetooth connectivity over PCIe. Potential impacts include system crashes or instability, which could disrupt business operations, especially in environments where Bluetooth is used for critical device communication or peripheral management. Although no active exploits are known, the vulnerability could be leveraged in targeted attacks to cause denial of service or potentially escalate to more severe impacts if combined with other vulnerabilities. Organizations in sectors such as manufacturing, healthcare, and critical infrastructure that utilize Linux-based systems with Bluetooth capabilities might face operational risks. The confidentiality and integrity impact is limited unless further exploitation chains are discovered, but availability could be affected due to system instability or crashes.

To mitigate CVE-2024-46869, European organizations should: 1) Identify Linux systems running kernel versions containing the vulnerable btintel_pcie driver, focusing on those with Bluetooth PCIe hardware. 2) Apply the latest Linux kernel updates or patches that include the fix for this vulnerability as soon as they become available. 3) If immediate patching is not possible, consider disabling Bluetooth PCIe functionality temporarily on critical systems to prevent exploitation. 4) Monitor system logs and Bluetooth driver behavior for anomalies or crashes that could indicate attempted exploitation. 5) Incorporate this vulnerability into vulnerability management and patch cycles to ensure timely remediation. 6) For embedded or specialized Linux devices, coordinate with vendors to obtain patched firmware or kernel versions. 7) Employ network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of vulnerable systems to untrusted networks, reducing the attack surface.