CVE-2024-53133 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel's Direct Rendering Manager (DRM) subsystem, specifically within the AMD display driver component. The issue arises when the Display Mode Library (DML) allocation fails during the handling of display state contexts. In such failure scenarios, the current state's DML contexts become invalid. Subsequent operations, particularly calls to the function dc_state_copy_internal, perform shallow copies of these invalid memory pointers. If the newly copied state is later released, this results in a double free condition, where the same memory is freed twice. Double free vulnerabilities can lead to undefined behavior including memory corruption, system crashes, or potential exploitation by attackers to execute arbitrary code or escalate privileges. The fix implemented resets the DML pointers in the new state to NULL to avoid referencing invalid memory, thereby preventing the double free. This patch was cherry-picked from a specific commit (bcafdc61529a48f6f06355d78eb41b3aeda5296c) and addresses the root cause by ensuring that failed allocations do not propagate invalid pointers. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and the vulnerability was published on December 4, 2024. The affected versions are identified by specific commit hashes, indicating this is a recent kernel codebase issue rather than a broadly versioned release. No CVSS score has been assigned yet.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-53133 depends largely on their use of Linux systems with AMD graphics hardware running affected kernel versions. The vulnerability could lead to system instability or crashes due to double free conditions in the graphics driver, potentially disrupting critical services that rely on graphical output or GPU acceleration. In worst-case scenarios, if exploited, attackers might achieve local privilege escalation or arbitrary code execution, compromising system confidentiality and integrity. This is particularly concerning for sectors with high reliance on Linux servers or workstations with AMD GPUs, such as research institutions, media companies, and certain industrial environments. However, since no known exploits are reported and the vulnerability requires a specific failure condition in DML allocation, the immediate risk is moderate. Nonetheless, the potential for denial of service or escalation attacks means organizations should prioritize patching to maintain system stability and security.

European organizations should implement the following specific mitigations: 1) Identify and inventory Linux systems using AMD graphics drivers and verify kernel versions against the affected commits. 2) Apply the official Linux kernel patches that address this vulnerability as soon as they become available in stable kernel releases or backported distributions. 3) For environments where immediate patching is not feasible, consider disabling or limiting the use of AMD GPU features that rely on the DRM subsystem to reduce exposure. 4) Monitor system logs for unusual crashes or memory errors related to the DRM or display subsystems that could indicate attempts to trigger this vulnerability. 5) Employ kernel hardening techniques such as memory protection and address space layout randomization (ASLR) to mitigate exploitation risks. 6) Engage with Linux distribution vendors for timely updates and security advisories. 7) Conduct internal testing of patches in staging environments to ensure stability before deployment in production.