CVE-2024-50028 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel's thermal management subsystem, specifically within the thermal netlink code. The issue arises because the function thermal_zone_get_by_id() returns a pointer to a thermal zone object without properly incrementing its reference count. This lack of reference counting means that the thermal zone object can be freed or go away while still being accessed by other parts of the kernel, leading to use-after-free conditions. Such a scenario can cause undefined behavior, including potential kernel crashes or memory corruption. The fix involves modifying thermal_zone_get_by_id() to acquire a reference on the thermal zone device object using get_device(), protected by the thermal_list_lock. Additionally, all callers of this function are adjusted to handle the new reference counting semantics, leveraging cleanup.h infrastructure to ensure proper resource management. This vulnerability is rooted in improper lifecycle management of kernel objects, which is a common source of security issues in kernel code. Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the vulnerability could be leveraged by a local attacker or malicious code running on the system to cause denial of service or potentially escalate privileges through kernel memory corruption.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-50028 depends largely on their use of Linux-based systems, particularly those running kernel versions affected by this flaw. Since Linux is widely deployed across servers, desktops, and embedded devices in Europe, this vulnerability could affect a broad range of sectors including finance, government, telecommunications, and critical infrastructure. The primary risk is denial of service due to kernel crashes, which could disrupt business operations and services. More critically, if exploited for privilege escalation, attackers could gain unauthorized root access, compromising confidentiality and integrity of sensitive data and systems. This is especially concerning for organizations relying on Linux for secure computing environments or those operating in regulated industries such as GDPR-bound entities, where data breaches carry heavy penalties. Embedded Linux devices used in industrial control systems or IoT deployments could also be at risk, potentially affecting operational technology environments. The absence of known exploits suggests a window of opportunity for organizations to patch before active exploitation occurs, but also means vigilance is required to detect any emerging threats.

To mitigate CVE-2024-50028, European organizations should prioritize updating their Linux kernels to versions that include the patch for this vulnerability. This involves applying the latest stable kernel releases or vendor-supplied security updates that address the reference counting fix in the thermal subsystem. System administrators should audit their environments to identify all Linux systems, including embedded devices, and verify their kernel versions. For systems where immediate patching is not feasible, consider implementing kernel live patching solutions if supported by the distribution. Additionally, organizations should enforce strict access controls to limit local user privileges, reducing the risk of exploitation by unprivileged users. Monitoring kernel logs and system behavior for anomalies related to thermal subsystem errors or crashes can provide early detection of exploitation attempts. Finally, incorporating this vulnerability into vulnerability management and incident response workflows will ensure timely remediation and response.