CVE-2024-50247 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel's NTFS3 filesystem driver, specifically within the handling of compressed data chunks. The issue arises when an incorrectly formatted chunk decompresses into more than the expected LZNT_CHUNK_SIZE bytes. This leads to an index out-of-bounds condition in the variable s_max_off, which is used to track offsets within the decompressed data. The root cause is a missing or insufficient check to ensure that the decompressed data does not exceed the chunk size boundary, resulting in a potential buffer overflow or memory corruption scenario. Such vulnerabilities in filesystem drivers are critical because they operate at the kernel level and handle untrusted data from disk images or external storage. Exploitation could allow an attacker to cause a denial of service (system crash) or potentially execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges if the corrupted memory is leveraged effectively. The vulnerability affects Linux kernel versions identified by the commit hash 4534a70b7056fd4b9a1c6db5a4ce3c98546b291e, indicating a specific code state before the patch was applied. No public exploits are currently known, and no CVSS score has been assigned yet. However, the nature of the vulnerability—kernel memory corruption via filesystem parsing—makes it a significant security concern that requires prompt attention and patching.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-50247 can be substantial, especially for those relying heavily on Linux-based infrastructure, including servers, cloud environments, and embedded systems. The NTFS3 driver is used to read and write NTFS filesystems, commonly found on external drives and dual-boot systems. Organizations that handle removable media or interact with Windows-formatted storage devices on Linux systems are at risk. Successful exploitation could lead to system crashes, data loss, or privilege escalation, compromising confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Critical sectors such as finance, healthcare, telecommunications, and government agencies in Europe often use Linux extensively and could face operational disruptions or data breaches if this vulnerability is exploited. Additionally, the lack of known exploits currently does not eliminate the risk of future weaponization by threat actors targeting European entities. The vulnerability also poses a risk to cloud service providers and data centers operating Linux environments, which are prevalent in Europe, potentially affecting a wide range of customers and services.

To mitigate CVE-2024-50247, European organizations should immediately apply the official Linux kernel patches that address the NTFS3 decompression boundary check issue once available. Until patches are deployed, organizations should limit or avoid mounting untrusted NTFS filesystems, especially from external or removable media sources. Employ strict access controls and monitoring on systems that handle NTFS volumes to detect unusual filesystem activity. Use kernel hardening features such as Kernel Address Space Layout Randomization (KASLR) and Kernel Page Table Isolation (KPTI) to reduce exploitation success likelihood. Regularly update intrusion detection and prevention systems to recognize attempts to exploit filesystem vulnerabilities. For environments where patching is delayed, consider isolating vulnerable systems or using virtualization/containerization to limit potential damage. Finally, maintain comprehensive backups and incident response plans to quickly recover from any exploitation attempts.