CVE-2024-49943 is a use-after-free (UAF) vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel's Direct Rendering Manager (DRM) subsystem, specifically within the Intel Xe graphics driver component (drm/xe/guc_submit). The vulnerability arises due to a missing locking mechanism in the function wedged_fini, which handles the cleanup of GPU submission queues. In this scenario, a non-wedged (active) queue can have a zero reference count and may be concurrently running alongside an asynchronous queue destruction process. Because of this concurrency, the code attempts to dereference a queue pointer to check the wedge status after the lookup without holding the necessary submission_state lock. This leads to a race condition where the queue pointer could be freed by another thread, resulting in a use-after-free condition. The fix involves holding the submission_state lock around the wedge status check to postpone freeing the queue and ensure safe access, then releasing the lock appropriately to avoid deadlocks. This vulnerability is critical in the context of kernel memory management and concurrency, as exploitation could lead to kernel crashes or potentially privilege escalation if an attacker can manipulate GPU submission queues. The vulnerability affects specific Linux kernel versions identified by commit hashes, and no known exploits are currently reported in the wild. The issue was patched by a commit that added the missing locking to prevent the unsafe dereference.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-49943 can be significant, especially for those relying on Linux-based systems with Intel Xe graphics hardware, such as workstations, servers, or embedded devices used in critical infrastructure, research, or industrial environments. Exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to system instability or denial of service due to kernel crashes. More critically, if leveraged in a targeted attack, it could enable local privilege escalation, allowing attackers to gain higher-level access on affected machines. This risk is heightened in environments where multi-user access or untrusted code execution is possible, such as shared servers or cloud infrastructure. Given the Linux kernel's widespread use across European governments, enterprises, and service providers, unpatched systems could be vulnerable to disruption or compromise. However, the absence of known exploits in the wild currently reduces immediate risk, but proactive patching is essential to prevent future exploitation.

European organizations should prioritize updating their Linux kernel to versions that include the patch for CVE-2024-49943. Specifically, they should apply the commit that adds the missing submission_state locking in the drm/xe/guc_submit driver. Kernel updates should be sourced from trusted Linux distribution vendors or directly from the Linux kernel mainline if using custom kernels. Additionally, organizations should audit systems with Intel Xe graphics hardware to identify affected machines. For environments where immediate patching is not feasible, implementing strict access controls to limit unprivileged user access and disabling unnecessary GPU acceleration features can reduce attack surface. Monitoring kernel logs for unusual GPU driver errors or crashes may help detect attempted exploitation. Finally, integrating this vulnerability into vulnerability management and patching workflows ensures timely remediation and reduces exposure.