CVE-2024-53076 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel specifically within the Industrial I/O (IIO) subsystem's gts-helper component. The flaw arises in the function iio_gts_build_avail_scale_table(), which is responsible for building available scale tables for sensor data processing. The vulnerability is a memory leak caused by improper error handling during dynamic memory allocation failures. When the kernel attempts to allocate memory for per_time_scales[i] or per_time_gains[i] using kcalloc in a loop, if the allocation fails, the error handling path (err_free_out) does not correctly free all previously allocated memory. This occurs because the loop index 'i' is not properly checked (should be i >= 0) before calling kfree(), resulting in the first elements per_time_scales[0] and per_time_gains[0] not being freed. Consequently, this leads to a memory leak in the kernel space. Although memory leaks do not directly lead to remote code execution or privilege escalation, they can degrade system stability and performance over time, potentially causing denial of service (DoS) conditions due to resource exhaustion. The vulnerability affects the Linux kernel versions identified by the commit hash 38416c28e16890b52fdd5eb73479299ec3f062f3 and similar builds. No known exploits are reported in the wild, and no CVSS score has been assigned yet. The fix involves adding a proper boundary check (i >= 0) to ensure all allocated memory is freed correctly during error handling, preventing the leak.

For European organizations relying on Linux-based systems, especially those using Industrial I/O subsystems for sensor data processing (common in manufacturing, industrial automation, and IoT deployments), this vulnerability could lead to gradual memory exhaustion. Over time, this may degrade system performance or cause kernel instability, potentially resulting in system crashes or reboots. While the vulnerability does not directly enable remote code execution or privilege escalation, the resulting denial of service could disrupt critical industrial processes or services. Organizations with embedded Linux devices or custom kernels in operational technology (OT) environments may be particularly affected. The impact is more pronounced in environments where systems run continuously without frequent reboots, as memory leaks accumulate over time. Additionally, systems with limited memory resources are more susceptible to adverse effects. Although no active exploitation is known, attackers could theoretically leverage this vulnerability as part of a multi-stage attack to degrade system availability.

European organizations should prioritize updating their Linux kernels to versions that include the patch fixing CVE-2024-53076. Specifically, kernel maintainers and system administrators should apply the patch that adds the boundary check (i >= 0) in the iio_gts_build_avail_scale_table() function to ensure proper memory deallocation. For environments where immediate patching is not feasible, monitoring kernel memory usage and system logs for signs of memory leaks or instability in the IIO subsystem is recommended. Organizations should also implement robust system resource monitoring and automated alerts to detect abnormal memory consumption trends. In industrial or embedded contexts, consider isolating vulnerable systems from untrusted networks to reduce exposure. Additionally, maintaining regular system reboots or memory cleanup cycles can mitigate the impact of memory leaks until patches are applied. Finally, coordinate with Linux distribution vendors to ensure timely deployment of security updates across all affected systems.