CVE-2024-53230 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel's CPU frequency scaling subsystem, specifically within the cpufreq driver related to the Collaborative Processor Performance Control (CPPC) feature. The issue arises in the function cppc_get_cpu_cost(), which relies on cpufreq_cpu_get_raw() to retrieve CPU frequency data. If cpufreq_cpu_get_raw() returns NULL—an event that can occur when the CPU is not part of the policy's CPU mask—cppc_get_cpu_cost() may dereference this NULL pointer, leading to a kernel null pointer dereference (NULL-ptr-deref). This type of bug causes the kernel to crash or panic, resulting in a denial of service (DoS) condition. The vulnerability is rooted in insufficient validation of the pointer returned by cpufreq_cpu_get_raw(), and the fix involves adding a NULL check before dereferencing the pointer in cppc_get_cpu_cost(). The affected versions appear to be specific Linux kernel commits or builds identified by the hash 740fcdc2c20ecf855b36b919d7fa1b872b5a7eae. There are no known exploits in the wild at the time of publication, and no CVSS score has been assigned yet. The vulnerability does not require user interaction but does require kernel-level code execution or access to trigger the condition. It primarily impacts system stability and availability rather than confidentiality or integrity.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2024-53230 is on system availability and reliability. Linux is widely deployed across European enterprises, government agencies, and critical infrastructure, especially in servers, cloud environments, and embedded systems. A kernel null pointer dereference leading to a crash can cause unexpected system reboots or downtime, disrupting business operations, services, and potentially critical infrastructure. While this vulnerability does not directly expose data or allow privilege escalation, the resulting denial of service could be exploited by attackers to cause operational disruptions. Organizations running Linux kernels with CPPC enabled on affected versions are at risk. This is particularly relevant for data centers, cloud service providers, and industries relying on high availability such as finance, telecommunications, and healthcare. The lack of known exploits reduces immediate risk, but the vulnerability should be addressed promptly to prevent potential future exploitation or accidental crashes.

To mitigate CVE-2024-53230, European organizations should: 1) Apply the official Linux kernel patches that include the NULL pointer check in cppc_get_cpu_cost() as soon as they become available from trusted Linux distributions or kernel maintainers. 2) Identify and inventory all Linux systems running affected kernel versions with CPPC enabled, prioritizing critical infrastructure and production environments. 3) Test patches in staging environments to ensure stability before deployment. 4) Monitor system logs and kernel crash reports for signs of null pointer dereference or unexpected reboots related to cpufreq or CPPC components. 5) If immediate patching is not possible, consider disabling CPPC or related CPU frequency scaling features temporarily as a workaround, understanding the potential impact on power management and performance. 6) Maintain robust backup and recovery procedures to minimize downtime impact in case of crashes. 7) Stay informed through Linux kernel security advisories and vendor bulletins for updates or emerging exploit information.