CVE-2024-47141 is a concurrency-related vulnerability in the Linux kernel's pinmux subsystem, specifically affecting the handling of GPIO pin multiplexing state changes. The issue arises when two clients (processes) concurrently invoke pinctrl_select_state() for the same GPIO functionality. The vulnerability is due to a race condition in accessing and updating the desc->mux_owner and desc->mux_usecount fields without proper synchronization. In the described scenario, process A increments desc->mux_usecount but has not yet updated desc->mux_owner, while process B reads the updated mux_usecount and proceeds to execute a strcmp operation on desc->mux_owner, which is still NULL. This leads to a NULL pointer dereference and kernel crash (panic). The root cause is the lack of serialization when multiple clients access and modify the pinmux data structures concurrently. The fix involves introducing a mutex lock to serialize access to mux-related settings, preventing simultaneous conflicting updates and eliminating the race condition. This vulnerability affects Linux kernel versions identified by the given commit hashes and was published in January 2025. There are no known exploits in the wild at this time, and no CVSS score has been assigned yet.

For European organizations relying on Linux-based systems, particularly those using embedded devices, industrial control systems, or specialized hardware interfacing with GPIO pins (such as IoT devices, telecom equipment, or automotive systems), this vulnerability could cause system instability or denial of service due to kernel crashes. The NULL pointer dereference leads to kernel panics, resulting in unplanned downtime and potential loss of availability. While this vulnerability does not directly lead to privilege escalation or data confidentiality breaches, the resulting denial of service can disrupt critical operations, especially in sectors like manufacturing, energy, or transportation where Linux-based embedded systems are prevalent. Additionally, repeated crashes could complicate system maintenance and recovery, increasing operational costs. Since the vulnerability requires concurrent access to the same GPIO pinmux functionality, it is more likely to be triggered in multi-threaded or multi-process environments with hardware control demands. The lack of known exploits reduces immediate risk, but the severity of potential service disruption warrants prompt attention.

European organizations should prioritize updating their Linux kernel to versions that include the patch fixing CVE-2024-47141. Specifically, ensure that the kernel incorporates the mutex lock serialization for pinmux access. For embedded and specialized Linux distributions, coordinate with vendors or maintainers to obtain patched kernel releases. In environments where immediate patching is not feasible, mitigate risk by limiting concurrent access to GPIO pinmux functionality through process scheduling or application design changes to avoid simultaneous pinctrl_select_state() calls on the same pins. Implement rigorous testing of multi-threaded GPIO control code to detect potential race conditions. Additionally, monitor system logs for kernel panics or NULL pointer dereferences related to pinmux operations to identify attempts to trigger this vulnerability. Employ kernel crash dump analysis to diagnose and confirm incidents. Finally, incorporate this vulnerability into vulnerability management and patching workflows to ensure timely remediation.