CVE-2024-50107 addresses a vulnerability in the Linux kernel related to the Intel PMC (Performance Monitoring Controller) core driver, specifically within the platform/x86/intel/pmc subsystem. The issue arises from improper handling of address ranges in the iounmap() function, which is responsible for unmapping I/O memory regions previously mapped into the kernel's address space. The vulnerability was identified when a kernel warning (WARN) was introduced in commit 50c6dbdfd16e, which improved address range checks in iounmap(). On affected hardware, such as the Lenovo ThinkPad P1 Gen 7 with Meteor Lake-P processors, invalid address ranges passed to iounmap() triggered kernel warnings, indicating potential mishandling of memory unmapping. The root cause is that pmc_core_iounmap did not properly call iounmap for valid addresses, leading to invalid memory operations. This can cause kernel warnings and potentially unstable behavior or crashes if the kernel attempts to unmap invalid or already unmapped memory regions. The stack trace shows involvement of the intel_pmc_core module and related PCI device initialization routines, suggesting the vulnerability may be triggered during device probing or power management operations. Although no direct exploit has been reported in the wild, the improper memory unmapping could be leveraged by a local attacker or malicious kernel module to cause denial of service (kernel panic) or potentially escalate privileges by corrupting kernel memory mappings. The vulnerability affects Linux kernel versions prior to the fix introduced in the 6.12.0-rc2 release cycle. The issue is specific to x86 platforms with Intel PMC core drivers, particularly on newer hardware platforms like Meteor Lake-P. No CVSS score is assigned yet, and no known exploits have been reported.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily to servers, workstations, and embedded systems running affected Linux kernel versions on Intel x86 hardware, especially newer Intel platforms such as Meteor Lake-P. The impact includes potential system instability, kernel panics, or denial of service caused by improper memory unmapping during device initialization or power management. In environments where uptime and reliability are critical—such as financial institutions, healthcare providers, telecommunications, and industrial control systems—such disruptions could lead to operational downtime and service interruptions. Although exploitation requires local access or the ability to load kernel modules, attackers with such privileges could leverage this flaw to destabilize systems or attempt privilege escalation. Given the widespread use of Linux in enterprise and cloud environments across Europe, the vulnerability could affect data centers and cloud service providers, impacting availability of hosted services. However, the lack of known remote exploitability and requirement for local code execution limits the risk to insider threats or attackers who have already compromised a system. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of hardware-specific kernel driver security, as newer Intel platforms are increasingly deployed in European corporate and government infrastructures.

European organizations should prioritize updating Linux kernels to versions including the fix for CVE-2024-50107, such as 6.12.0-rc2 or later stable releases containing the patch. Kernel updates should be tested in staging environments to ensure compatibility with existing hardware and drivers, particularly on systems with Intel Meteor Lake-P or similar platforms. For environments where immediate kernel upgrades are not feasible, organizations should restrict local access to trusted users only and enforce strict controls on kernel module loading, using mechanisms like module signing and secure boot to prevent unauthorized kernel code execution. Monitoring kernel logs for WARN messages related to iounmap() can help detect attempts to trigger the vulnerability. Additionally, organizations should review and harden device driver configurations and power management settings to minimize exposure. Security teams should maintain awareness of further advisories or exploit developments related to this vulnerability. For critical systems, consider deploying kernel live patching solutions that can apply fixes without full reboots, reducing downtime. Finally, implement comprehensive endpoint protection and intrusion detection to identify and respond to potential insider threats or privilege escalation attempts exploiting this flaw.