CVE-2024-53162 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel specifically within the Intel QuickAssist Technology (QAT) driver component, qat_4xxx. The issue is an off-by-one error in the function uof_get_name(), where the bounds checking on the fw_objs[] array is incorrect. The fw_objs[] array contains 'num_objs' elements, but the condition used to check the index was '>' instead of '>=' which can lead to an out-of-bounds read. This means that under certain conditions, the kernel code could read memory beyond the allocated array boundary. While the vulnerability is a memory safety issue, it is an out-of-bounds read rather than a write, which typically limits the potential for direct code execution or memory corruption. However, out-of-bounds reads can still lead to information disclosure or cause kernel crashes (denial of service). The vulnerability affects the Linux kernel versions identified by the commit hash 10484c647af6b1952d1675e83be9cc976cdb6a96, and it has been patched by correcting the boundary check to use '>=' to prevent the out-of-bounds access. There are no known exploits in the wild currently, and no CVSS score has been assigned yet. The vulnerability requires access to the kernel driver, which typically means local or privileged access is needed to trigger the flaw. The QAT driver is used in systems leveraging Intel QuickAssist hardware acceleration for cryptographic operations, commonly found in enterprise and data center environments.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-53162 depends largely on their use of Linux systems with Intel QAT hardware acceleration enabled. Organizations running high-performance servers, cloud infrastructure, or network appliances that utilize QAT for cryptographic acceleration could be at risk. The out-of-bounds read could potentially lead to information leakage of kernel memory or cause system instability and crashes, resulting in denial of service. While the vulnerability does not appear to allow privilege escalation or remote code execution directly, the potential for service disruption in critical infrastructure or enterprise environments is a concern. This could affect sectors such as finance, telecommunications, cloud service providers, and government agencies that rely on Linux servers with QAT hardware. Additionally, since the vulnerability requires local or privileged access, the risk is higher in environments where multiple users have access or where attackers can gain initial foothold and attempt privilege escalation. The lack of known exploits reduces immediate risk but patching is important to prevent future exploitation attempts.

European organizations should prioritize patching Linux kernels to versions that include the fix for CVE-2024-53162. Specifically, updating to the latest stable Linux kernel releases that address the boundary check in the qat_4xxx driver is essential. Organizations using Intel QAT hardware should audit their systems to identify affected kernel versions and ensure timely deployment of patches. Additionally, restricting access to systems with QAT hardware to trusted administrators and implementing strict privilege separation can reduce the risk of exploitation. Monitoring system logs for unusual crashes or kernel errors related to the QAT driver may help detect attempts to exploit this vulnerability. For environments where immediate patching is not feasible, disabling the QAT driver or hardware acceleration temporarily can mitigate risk. Finally, maintaining strong endpoint security controls to prevent unauthorized local access will reduce the attack surface for this vulnerability.