CVE-2024-47697 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel specifically within the DVB (Digital Video Broadcasting) frontend driver rtl2830. The issue arises from an out-of-bounds write error caused by improper boundary checking on an index used in the rtl2830_pid_filter function. The driver maintains a 32-bit value called dev->filters, representing filter bits indexed from 0 to 31. The vulnerability occurs because the code incorrectly allows an index value of 32, which leads to attempts to set or clear a bit beyond the allocated 32-bit range. This out-of-bounds access can cause memory corruption, potentially leading to kernel instability, crashes, or exploitation opportunities. The fix involves changing the boundary check condition from index > 32 to index >= 32, ensuring that indices do not exceed the valid range. This vulnerability is located in a media driver component, which is a less commonly targeted attack surface compared to core kernel subsystems but still part of the kernel’s device driver layer. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and the vulnerability was published on October 21, 2024. The affected versions appear to be specific Linux kernel commits or builds, indicating that this is a recent and targeted fix. The lack of a CVSS score suggests that the vulnerability is newly disclosed and has not yet undergone formal severity assessment by standard scoring bodies.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-47697 depends largely on the deployment of Linux systems utilizing the rtl2830 DVB frontend driver. This driver is typically used in systems handling digital TV signals or related media applications. While this is a niche component, Linux is widely deployed across European enterprises, government agencies, and critical infrastructure, often in servers, embedded devices, and specialized hardware. Exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to kernel memory corruption, resulting in denial of service (system crashes) or potentially privilege escalation if an attacker can craft inputs to trigger the out-of-bounds write. Although no exploits are currently known, the vulnerability could be leveraged in targeted attacks against media processing systems or embedded devices running vulnerable Linux kernels. The confidentiality, integrity, and availability of affected systems could be compromised, especially if the device is part of a larger critical infrastructure or media distribution network. Given the kernel-level nature of the flaw, successful exploitation could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges, posing a significant risk to system security.

European organizations should prioritize patching Linux kernels to incorporate the fix that changes the boundary check condition in the rtl2830 driver. Specifically, updating to the latest stable Linux kernel versions or vendor-provided patches that address CVE-2024-47697 is essential. Organizations using embedded systems or specialized media hardware with DVB frontends should verify if their devices use the rtl2830 driver and coordinate with hardware vendors for firmware or kernel updates. Additionally, organizations should implement strict access controls and monitoring on systems with media drivers to detect anomalous behavior that could indicate exploitation attempts. Employing kernel integrity monitoring and enabling security modules like SELinux or AppArmor can help mitigate the impact of potential exploits. Network segmentation of media processing devices and limiting exposure to untrusted inputs can further reduce risk. Finally, maintaining an inventory of Linux kernel versions and affected devices will facilitate rapid response and patch deployment.