CVE-2024-47688 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel's driver core, specifically within the module_add_driver() function. The flaw arises from improper handling of error conditions during the probing of the of_fpga_region driver. When the kernel function kasprintf() fails, the subsequent cleanup routine attempts to call sysfs_remove_link() twice. The second call leads to a null pointer dereference because kernfs_name_hash() is invoked with a NULL driver_name parameter, which causes strlen() to operate on a NULL pointer. This results in a kernel oops and a fatal exception, causing a kernel panic and system crash. The vulnerability is triggered during module loading or driver registration, particularly affecting the of_fpga_region platform driver. The detailed kernel trace shows the fault occurs in strlen(), propagating through kernfs_name_hash(), kernfs_remove_by_name_ns(), and sysfs_remove_link(), culminating in module_add_driver() failure. The issue is a memory safety bug that can cause denial of service (DoS) by crashing the kernel. It affects Linux kernel versions prior to the fix and is relevant to systems using the affected drivers. The vulnerability does not require user interaction but does require the ability to load or register kernel modules, which typically requires administrative privileges. No known exploits are reported in the wild as of the publication date. The vulnerability was reserved on 2024-09-30 and published on 2024-10-21. No CVSS score is assigned yet.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk primarily as a denial-of-service vector. Systems running vulnerable Linux kernels with the affected drivers, especially those utilizing FPGA regions or related hardware, could experience unexpected kernel panics leading to system downtime. This can disrupt critical infrastructure, industrial control systems, and data center operations that rely on Linux-based servers. The impact on confidentiality and integrity is minimal since the vulnerability leads to a crash rather than privilege escalation or code execution. However, availability is severely impacted, which can affect business continuity, especially in sectors like manufacturing, telecommunications, and cloud service providers that heavily depend on Linux. Organizations with strict uptime requirements or those operating critical services may face operational and financial consequences. Since exploitation requires module loading privileges, the threat is more relevant to environments where untrusted users have elevated access or where kernel modules are dynamically loaded frequently. The lack of known exploits reduces immediate risk but patching is essential to prevent future exploitation.

1. Apply the official Linux kernel patches addressing CVE-2024-47688 as soon as they become available from trusted sources or Linux distribution vendors. 2. Restrict kernel module loading to trusted administrators only and audit module loading activities to detect anomalous behavior. 3. Disable or remove unnecessary FPGA-related drivers or modules, such as of_fpga_region, if not required by the system to reduce the attack surface. 4. Implement kernel lockdown features where possible to prevent unauthorized module insertion. 5. Monitor system logs for kernel oops or panic events that may indicate attempted exploitation or instability related to this vulnerability. 6. For environments using custom or embedded Linux kernels, ensure that the kernel is updated and rebuilt with the fix included. 7. Employ robust access controls and segmentation to limit exposure of critical Linux systems to untrusted users. 8. Consider deploying kernel live patching solutions to apply fixes without requiring system downtime in production environments.