CVE-2024-50262 is a high-severity vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel's Berkeley Packet Filter (BPF) subsystem, specifically within the trie_get_next_key() function. This function is responsible for traversing trie data structures used in BPF programs for efficient key lookups. The vulnerability arises due to an out-of-bounds write condition: trie_get_next_key() allocates a node stack sized to trie->max_prefixlen but writes (trie->max_prefixlen + 1) nodes when processing full paths from root to leaf nodes. For example, if max_prefixlen is 8, the function writes 9 nodes into an 8-sized stack, causing a buffer overflow. This off-by-one overflow can lead to memory corruption, potentially allowing an attacker with limited privileges (requires low privileges but no user interaction) to escalate privileges, compromise system integrity, or cause denial of service by crashing the kernel. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-787 (Out-of-bounds Write). The CVSS v3.1 score is 7.8 (high), reflecting its significant impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, with low attack complexity and requiring only low privileges. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, but the flaw's nature makes it a critical concern for Linux systems running vulnerable kernel versions prior to the fix. The vulnerability affects specific Linux kernel commits identified by the hash b471f2f1de8b816f1e799b80aa92588f3566e4bd and earlier. The issue was publicly disclosed on November 9, 2024, and is addressed in updated kernel releases.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a serious risk, especially for those relying heavily on Linux-based infrastructure, including servers, cloud environments, and embedded systems. Exploitation could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code in kernel space, leading to full system compromise, data breaches, or service outages. Critical sectors such as finance, healthcare, telecommunications, and government agencies that use Linux servers for sensitive operations could face confidentiality breaches, integrity violations, and availability disruptions. The vulnerability's ability to escalate privileges from low-level access means that even limited access attackers or malicious insiders could leverage it to gain full control. Additionally, Linux is widely used in cloud and container environments prevalent in European data centers, increasing the potential attack surface. The absence of known exploits currently provides a window for proactive patching, but the high severity score indicates that rapid remediation is essential to prevent future exploitation attempts.

European organizations should prioritize the following specific mitigation steps: 1) Immediately identify and inventory all Linux systems running affected kernel versions, including physical servers, virtual machines, and container hosts. 2) Apply the latest Linux kernel patches or updates that address CVE-2024-50262 as soon as they become available from trusted sources or distributions. 3) For environments where immediate patching is not feasible, implement kernel-level exploit mitigation techniques such as Kernel Address Space Layout Randomization (KASLR) and strict access controls to limit unprivileged code execution. 4) Restrict access to systems to trusted users only and monitor for unusual kernel-level activity or crashes that could indicate exploitation attempts. 5) Employ runtime security tools capable of detecting anomalous BPF program behavior or memory corruption patterns. 6) Review and harden BPF program usage policies, limiting the ability of unprivileged users to load or execute BPF programs. 7) Conduct thorough post-patch testing to ensure system stability and verify that the vulnerability is fully mitigated. 8) Maintain up-to-date incident response plans tailored to kernel-level compromises to enable rapid containment if exploitation is detected.