CVE-2024-49857 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel's wireless driver subsystem, specifically within the iwlwifi module responsible for Intel wireless devices. The issue arises in the management of the cipher pointer during the setup of secured Neighbor Discovery Protocol (NDP) ranging. The vulnerability is caused by the cipher pointer not being properly initialized before it is dereferenced, leading to a NULL pointer dereference condition. This type of flaw can cause the kernel to crash or become unstable, resulting in a denial of service (DoS) condition. The root cause is a programming error where the code attempts to set the content of the cipher pointer without first ensuring it points to a valid memory location. The fix involves correctly assigning the cipher pointer to the appropriate cipher parameter before dereferencing it, thereby preventing the NULL pointer dereference. Although this vulnerability does not currently have known exploits in the wild and lacks a CVSS score, it affects the Linux kernel versions that include the vulnerable iwlwifi driver code. Since the Linux kernel is widely used across many distributions and devices, this vulnerability has broad potential impact, particularly on systems using Intel wireless hardware and relying on secured NDP ranging features. The flaw primarily affects the availability of the system by potentially causing kernel crashes, but it does not directly expose confidentiality or integrity risks. The vulnerability requires no authentication or user interaction to be triggered if an attacker can send crafted wireless frames or manipulate the wireless environment to trigger the vulnerable code path. This makes it a concern for systems exposed to untrusted wireless networks or environments where attackers can interact with the wireless interface. The absence of known exploits suggests the vulnerability is not yet actively weaponized, but the potential for denial of service on critical infrastructure or endpoint devices remains significant.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-49857 centers on potential denial of service conditions affecting Linux-based systems with Intel wireless hardware. Many enterprises, government agencies, and critical infrastructure operators in Europe rely on Linux servers, workstations, and embedded devices that use the iwlwifi driver. A successful exploitation could cause system crashes or reboots, disrupting business operations, communications, and services dependent on wireless connectivity. In sectors such as finance, healthcare, manufacturing, and public administration, where Linux systems are prevalent, even temporary outages can have cascading effects on productivity and service availability. Additionally, organizations with remote or mobile workforces using laptops with Intel wireless cards are at risk if they connect to untrusted or hostile wireless networks. The vulnerability could be exploited to disrupt wireless connectivity or cause system instability remotely without requiring user interaction. While the vulnerability does not directly compromise data confidentiality or integrity, the availability impact can indirectly affect security posture by causing system downtime and potential loss of monitoring or security controls. Given the widespread use of Linux in European data centers and endpoint devices, the vulnerability poses a moderate operational risk that must be addressed promptly to maintain service continuity and network reliability.

To mitigate CVE-2024-49857, European organizations should take the following specific actions: 1) Apply the latest Linux kernel updates and patches from trusted distribution vendors that include the fix for this vulnerability. Since the issue is in the kernel's iwlwifi driver, updating to a patched kernel version is the most effective mitigation. 2) For environments where immediate patching is not feasible, consider disabling the affected wireless interface or the iwlwifi driver temporarily to prevent exploitation, especially on critical systems. 3) Implement network segmentation and wireless access controls to limit exposure of vulnerable devices to untrusted or public wireless networks. 4) Monitor system logs and kernel messages for signs of crashes or instability related to wireless operations, which may indicate attempted exploitation or triggering of the vulnerability. 5) Educate IT and security teams about the vulnerability to ensure rapid response and patch management. 6) For organizations using custom or embedded Linux systems, coordinate with vendors or internal development teams to integrate the patch into firmware or kernel builds. 7) Employ intrusion detection systems capable of identifying anomalous wireless traffic patterns that could trigger the vulnerability. These targeted mitigations go beyond generic advice by focusing on the specific driver and operational context of the vulnerability.