CVE-2024-49865 is a use-after-free (UAF) vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel, specifically within the Direct Rendering Manager (DRM) subsystem for Intel Xe graphics virtualization (drm/xe/vm). The vulnerability arises due to a race condition in the handling of virtual memory (vm) IDs during ioctl operations. An attacker with user-level privileges can predict the next vm ID before the ioctl create operation completes. By doing so, the attacker can invoke the vm destroy ioctl on the predicted ID while the create ioctl still holds a reference to the same vm object. This results in a use-after-free condition where the kernel references memory that has already been freed, potentially leading to memory corruption, kernel crashes, or privilege escalation. The fix involves moving the xa_alloc allocation to the end of the ioctl create operation to prevent the premature exposure of the vm ID and eliminate the race condition. The vulnerability affects specific Linux kernel versions identified by commit hashes, and no known exploits are currently reported in the wild. The issue was addressed by a patch cherry-picked from commit dcfd3971327f3ee92765154baebbaece833d3ca9. No CVSS score has been assigned yet, but the vulnerability is significant due to its potential impact on kernel integrity and security.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a serious risk, especially for those relying on Linux-based systems with Intel Xe graphics virtualization, such as cloud service providers, data centers, and enterprises running containerized or virtualized workloads. Exploitation could allow a malicious local user to escalate privileges or cause denial of service by crashing the kernel, impacting system availability and integrity. Given the widespread use of Linux in European government, financial, and industrial sectors, successful exploitation could disrupt critical services and lead to data breaches or operational downtime. The lack of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, as attackers may develop exploits once the vulnerability details are public. Organizations using affected Linux kernel versions must prioritize patching to maintain system security and stability.

European organizations should implement the following specific mitigation steps: 1) Identify and inventory all Linux systems running affected kernel versions, particularly those using Intel Xe graphics virtualization features. 2) Apply the official Linux kernel patches that address CVE-2024-49865 as soon as they become available from trusted sources or Linux distribution vendors. 3) If immediate patching is not feasible, restrict access to systems to trusted users only, minimizing the risk of local exploitation. 4) Monitor system logs and kernel messages for unusual ioctl activity or crashes related to DRM or vm operations. 5) Employ kernel hardening techniques such as Kernel Address Space Layout Randomization (KASLR) and seccomp filters to limit the attack surface. 6) Regularly update and audit virtualization and container environments to ensure they do not expose unnecessary privileges that could be leveraged by attackers. 7) Engage with Linux distribution security advisories and subscribe to vulnerability notifications to stay informed about patch releases and exploit developments.