CVE-2024-53077 is a recently published vulnerability affecting the Linux kernel, specifically within the rpcrdma subsystem. The issue arises from improper memory management in the handling of the rpcrdma_device's xa_array, a data structure used internally to manage resources. The vulnerability was identified by Dai, who pointed out that the function xa_init_flags() called during rpcrdma_add_one() requires a corresponding xa_destroy() call in rpcrdma_remove_one() to properly release the memory allocated to the xarray. Failure to do so results in a memory leak, where memory allocated during operation is not freed, potentially leading to resource exhaustion over time. While the description does not explicitly mention exploitation vectors or direct impact on confidentiality or integrity, the underlying problem is a resource management flaw that could degrade system stability or availability if exploited or triggered repeatedly. The affected versions are identified by specific commit hashes, indicating that the vulnerability is present in certain recent Linux kernel builds prior to the patch. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no CVSS score has been assigned yet. The vulnerability is technical and low-level, affecting kernel memory management in the rpcrdma module, which is related to Remote Procedure Call over RDMA (Remote Direct Memory Access), a feature used in high-performance networking and storage environments.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-53077 primarily concerns systems running Linux kernels with the vulnerable rpcrdma implementation, especially those utilizing RDMA for high-speed networking or storage solutions. Organizations in sectors such as finance, telecommunications, research institutions, and cloud service providers that rely on Linux servers with RDMA capabilities could experience degraded system performance or stability due to memory leaks. Over time, this could lead to denial of service conditions if memory exhaustion occurs, impacting availability of critical services. Although there is no evidence of direct compromise of confidentiality or integrity, the availability impact can be significant in environments requiring high uptime and reliability. Additionally, memory leaks can sometimes be leveraged as part of more complex attack chains, although no such exploits are currently known. European organizations with large-scale Linux deployments should be aware of this vulnerability to prevent potential service disruptions.

To mitigate CVE-2024-53077, organizations should promptly apply the official Linux kernel patches that address the missing xa_destroy() call in the rpcrdma_remove_one() function. Since the vulnerability is related to kernel memory management, updating to a patched kernel version is the most effective remediation. For environments where immediate patching is not feasible, administrators should monitor system memory usage closely on hosts utilizing rpcrdma features to detect abnormal memory growth indicative of leaks. Disabling or limiting the use of rpcrdma functionality temporarily may reduce exposure, although this could impact performance for applications relying on RDMA. Additionally, organizations should ensure robust system monitoring and alerting for resource exhaustion conditions and have incident response plans to handle potential availability issues. Regularly reviewing kernel updates and subscribing to Linux security advisories will help maintain awareness of such vulnerabilities.