CVE-2024-50214 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel's Direct Rendering Manager (DRM) subsystem, specifically within the HDMI connector code. The issue arises from a memory leak in the function drm_display_mode_from_cea_vic(), which is responsible for handling display modes based on the CEA (Consumer Electronics Association) Video Identification Codes (VIC). When the kernel module drm_connector_test is loaded and subsequently unloaded, the function drm_mode_duplicate() allocates memory for a 'mode' structure that is not properly freed, leading to a memory leak. This leak is evidenced by unreferenced kernel objects remaining allocated after module removal, as shown in the provided kernel memory leak logs and backtrace. The root cause is that the allocated 'mode' object is not released, which can cause gradual memory exhaustion in the kernel space if the module is repeatedly loaded and unloaded or if the function is invoked multiple times. The fix involves modifying the code to free the allocated 'mode' by using drm_kunit_display_mode_from_cea_vic(), ensuring proper memory management and preventing the leak. Although this vulnerability does not currently have known exploits in the wild and lacks a CVSS score, it represents a kernel-level resource management flaw that could degrade system stability over time.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-50214 primarily concerns system stability and reliability rather than direct compromise of confidentiality or integrity. Systems running vulnerable Linux kernel versions with DRM HDMI support—common in desktops, servers with graphical interfaces, and embedded devices—may experience memory leaks that accumulate over time, potentially leading to degraded performance or kernel crashes. This could disrupt critical services, especially in environments relying on Linux-based infrastructure for multimedia processing, digital signage, or graphical applications. While exploitation does not appear to enable privilege escalation or code execution, the memory leak could be leveraged in denial-of-service (DoS) scenarios by forcing repeated module reloads or HDMI mode changes, impacting availability. European organizations with large-scale Linux deployments, including cloud providers, telecom operators, and industrial control systems using Linux, should be aware of this risk. The vulnerability's impact is more operational than security-critical but still warrants timely patching to maintain system health and service continuity.

To mitigate CVE-2024-50214, organizations should: 1) Apply the official Linux kernel patches that fix the memory leak in drm_display_mode_from_cea_vic() as soon as they become available, ensuring the use of drm_kunit_display_mode_from_cea_vic() for proper memory deallocation. 2) Monitor kernel module loading and unloading activities related to DRM HDMI connectors, especially in test or development environments, to detect abnormal memory usage patterns. 3) Implement automated kernel memory leak detection tools (e.g., kmemleak) in staging environments to proactively identify similar issues. 4) For systems where immediate patching is not feasible, limit or avoid frequent loading/unloading of the drm_connector_test module or related HDMI mode changes that trigger the leak. 5) Maintain up-to-date Linux kernel versions and subscribe to vendor security advisories to receive timely updates. 6) In critical environments, consider isolating or sandboxing graphical subsystems to minimize impact on core services. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on proactive detection, controlled module management, and prioritizing patch deployment in affected Linux kernel versions.