CVE-2024-47751 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel, specifically within the PCI subsystem related to the kirin PCIe driver. The flaw arises in the function kirin_pcie_parse_port(), where an improper boundary check leads to a potential buffer overflow. The vulnerability is due to incorrect comparison logic between the number of PCI slots (pcie->num_slots) and the size of the gpio_id_reset array (MAX_PCI_SLOTS). Originally, the code compared pcie->num_slots directly to MAX_PCI_SLOTS, which could allow pcie->num_slots to reach or exceed the array bounds, resulting in out-of-bounds array access. The fix involves adjusting the condition to pcie->num_slots + 1 >= MAX_PCI_SLOTS and repositioning the increment of pcie->num_slots to after the boundary check, thereby preventing buffer overflow. This vulnerability was discovered by the Linux Verification Center using static analysis tools (SVACE). Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the nature of the vulnerability—buffer overflow in kernel space—poses a significant risk. Buffer overflows in kernel drivers can lead to privilege escalation, arbitrary code execution, or kernel crashes, compromising system stability and security. The affected versions are specific Linux kernel commits identified by their hashes, indicating this is a recent and targeted fix. The vulnerability affects systems running the kirin PCIe driver, which is typically found in hardware platforms using the Kirin chipset or related PCIe implementations. Since the Linux kernel is widely deployed across servers, desktops, and embedded devices, the vulnerability has broad potential impact depending on the presence of the kirin driver and hardware.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-47751 depends largely on their deployment of Linux systems utilizing the kirin PCIe driver. Enterprises and service providers running Linux kernels with this driver on servers or embedded devices could face risks of kernel-level compromise. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges, leading to full system compromise, data breaches, or disruption of critical services. This is particularly concerning for sectors with high reliance on Linux infrastructure such as telecommunications, finance, government, and industrial control systems. The vulnerability could also affect cloud service providers operating Linux-based virtual machines or containers on affected kernels, potentially impacting multi-tenant environments. Given the kernel-level nature, exploitation could bypass many traditional security controls, increasing the severity of impact. Although no active exploits are known, the presence of a buffer overflow in kernel code is a high-risk condition that could be targeted by advanced threat actors. The impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is therefore potentially severe, especially in environments where patching is delayed or hardware replacement is complex.

European organizations should prioritize the following mitigation steps: 1) Identify Linux systems running kernels with the kirin PCIe driver by auditing kernel modules and hardware inventory. 2) Apply the official Linux kernel patches that fix the boundary check in kirin_pcie_parse_port() as soon as they are available from trusted Linux distributions or kernel maintainers. 3) For systems where immediate patching is not feasible, consider temporary mitigations such as disabling the kirin PCIe driver if it is not essential or isolating affected systems from critical networks. 4) Monitor system logs and kernel messages for unusual activity or crashes related to PCIe operations that might indicate exploitation attempts. 5) Employ kernel integrity monitoring and endpoint detection tools capable of detecting anomalous kernel behavior. 6) Maintain a robust patch management process to ensure timely updates of Linux kernels and drivers. 7) Coordinate with hardware vendors for firmware updates if applicable, as some PCIe vulnerabilities may also have hardware-level mitigations. 8) Educate system administrators about the risks of kernel vulnerabilities and the importance of applying security updates promptly.