CVE-2024-50298 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel's networking subsystem, specifically within the enetc (Ethernet controller) driver. The issue arises from improper memory allocation and handling of the vf_state structure during Physical Function (PF) probes. In the vulnerable implementation, vf_state memory is allocated only when a Virtual Function (VF) is enabled. However, the function net_device_ops::ndo_set_vf_mac(), which is responsible for setting the MAC address of a VF, can be invoked before the VF is enabled. This leads to a scenario where enetc_pf_set_vf_mac() attempts to access vf_state, which has not been allocated, resulting in a null pointer dereference. The consequence is a kernel NULL pointer dereference causing a system crash or kernel panic, as demonstrated by the provided kernel log snippet. This vulnerability is a denial-of-service (DoS) vector that can be triggered locally by executing the command to set a VF MAC address on an affected network interface before enabling the VF. The vulnerability affects specific Linux kernel versions identified by the commit hash d4fd0404c1c95b17880f254ebfee3485693fa8ba. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no CVSS score has been assigned yet. The root cause is a race or ordering condition in the driver code that fails to allocate or check the vf_state pointer before use, leading to a critical stability issue in systems using the enetc driver for network virtualization features.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2024-50298 is the potential for local denial-of-service attacks on Linux systems utilizing the enetc Ethernet controller driver, particularly in environments employing SR-IOV (Single Root I/O Virtualization) with Virtual Functions. This could affect data centers, cloud providers, telecom infrastructure, and enterprises running Linux-based network appliances or servers with this hardware. The vulnerability could cause unexpected kernel crashes, leading to service interruptions, degraded network availability, and potential operational downtime. While it does not directly expose confidentiality or integrity risks, the availability impact can be significant in critical infrastructure or high-availability environments. Organizations relying on Linux kernel versions with the affected enetc driver are at risk if unpatched, especially those using virtualized network functions or advanced network interface configurations. The lack of known exploits reduces immediate risk, but the vulnerability's presence in kernel code means that attackers with local access or the ability to execute commands on affected systems could trigger the DoS condition. This could be leveraged in multi-tenant environments or by malicious insiders to disrupt services.

1. Apply the official Linux kernel patches that address CVE-2024-50298 as soon as they become available from trusted sources or Linux distributions. Monitor vendor advisories for updated kernel packages containing the fix. 2. Until patches are applied, restrict access to systems with the enetc driver to trusted users only, preventing unprivileged or unauthorized users from executing commands that manipulate VF MAC addresses. 3. Implement strict access controls and auditing on network configuration commands, especially those involving SR-IOV and VF management, to detect and prevent misuse. 4. Consider disabling SR-IOV or the use of Virtual Functions on affected interfaces if not required, as a temporary workaround to eliminate the attack surface. 5. Monitor system logs for kernel NULL pointer dereference errors or crashes related to enetc_pf_set_vf_mac to detect potential exploitation attempts. 6. In virtualized or cloud environments, coordinate with infrastructure providers to ensure underlying host kernels are patched, as tenant VMs may be affected indirectly. 7. Conduct thorough testing of network drivers and configurations in staging environments before deploying patches to production to avoid regressions.