CVE-2024-50213 is a memory leak vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel's Direct Rendering Manager (DRM) subsystem, specifically within the HDMI test code. The flaw occurs in the function drm_display_mode_from_cea_vic(), which is responsible for duplicating display modes based on CEA (Consumer Electronics Association) Video Identification Codes (VIC). When the drm_hdmi_state_helper_test module is loaded and subsequently removed, the 'mode' object allocated by drm_mode_duplicate() inside drm_display_mode_from_cea_vic() is not properly freed, leading to a memory leak. This leak is evidenced by unreferenced kernel objects accumulating over time, which can degrade system performance or stability if the test module is repeatedly loaded and unloaded. The root cause is the missing deallocation of the duplicated mode structure, which should be freed using drm_kunit_display_mode_from_cea_vic() to prevent the leak. Although this vulnerability is confined to a test helper module and does not appear to affect production code paths directly, it resides in the kernel's DRM subsystem, a critical component for graphics rendering and display management. The issue was identified and fixed by ensuring proper freeing of the allocated mode object, thus eliminating the memory leak. No known exploits are reported in the wild, and no CVSS score has been assigned yet.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-50213 is generally low to moderate due to its confinement to a test module within the Linux kernel's DRM subsystem. Production systems that do not load the drm_hdmi_state_helper_test module are unlikely to be affected. However, organizations that perform kernel testing, development, or use custom kernel builds with this test module enabled could experience memory leaks leading to degraded system performance or potential instability over time. This could affect servers, workstations, or embedded devices running Linux kernels with this vulnerability. In environments where graphics performance and stability are critical—such as media production, digital signage, or industrial control systems—memory leaks could indirectly impact availability or reliability. Since the vulnerability does not allow privilege escalation, code execution, or direct data compromise, confidentiality and integrity impacts are minimal. Nonetheless, persistent memory leaks in kernel space can increase the attack surface by potentially facilitating denial-of-service conditions if system resources are exhausted.

To mitigate CVE-2024-50213, European organizations should ensure that Linux kernel versions deployed are updated to include the patch that properly frees the allocated mode object in drm_display_mode_from_cea_vic(). Specifically, kernel maintainers and system administrators should: 1) Avoid loading the drm_hdmi_state_helper_test module in production environments, as it is primarily intended for testing purposes. 2) Apply the latest Linux kernel updates from trusted vendors or distributions that address this memory leak. 3) For organizations compiling custom kernels, verify that the fix is included and test kernel modules related to DRM for memory leaks using tools like kmemleak. 4) Implement monitoring of kernel memory usage and logs to detect abnormal memory consumption patterns that could indicate leaks. 5) Educate development and testing teams about the risks of enabling test modules in production or critical environments. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on the specific test module and kernel subsystem involved.