CVE-2024-53236 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel's handling of the AF_XDP socket (xsk) transmit (TX) path. Specifically, the issue arises when a new socket buffer (skb) is allocated for transmitting an xsk descriptor, which occurs for every non-multibuf descriptor or the first fragment of a multibuf descriptor. If the TX metadata options associated with the descriptor are invalid, the allocated skb is not freed properly. This results in a memory leak of skbs until the send buffer becomes full, at which point the system is unable to send additional packets. The root cause is that the error path handling does not free the skb when invalid TX metadata options are detected, particularly when dealing with the first fragment in the xsk_build_skb function. The fix involves ensuring that the skb is freed in the error path to prevent resource leakage. This vulnerability affects Linux kernel versions identified by the commit hash 48eb03dd26304c24f03bdbb9382e89c8564e71df and was published on December 27, 2024. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no CVSS score has been assigned yet.

For European organizations, this vulnerability could lead to denial of service (DoS) conditions on systems using AF_XDP sockets for high-performance packet processing, such as in network appliances, firewalls, or specialized communication infrastructure. The memory leak caused by unreleased skbs can exhaust kernel memory resources, leading to degraded network performance or complete inability to send packets. This can disrupt critical network services, impacting availability and potentially causing operational downtime. While the vulnerability does not directly expose confidentiality or integrity risks, the resulting DoS can indirectly affect business continuity and service reliability. Organizations relying on Linux-based network infrastructure or edge computing devices that leverage AF_XDP for accelerated packet processing are particularly at risk. Given the kernel-level nature of the issue, the impact can be widespread across various Linux distributions used in enterprise environments.

To mitigate this vulnerability, European organizations should promptly apply the Linux kernel patch that addresses CVE-2024-53236 once it is available from their distribution vendors. Until patches are deployed, organizations should monitor systems using AF_XDP sockets for unusual memory consumption or network transmission failures indicative of skb leaks. Network administrators should consider limiting or disabling AF_XDP socket usage in non-critical environments if feasible. Additionally, implementing kernel memory monitoring tools and alerting on abnormal skb allocation patterns can help detect exploitation attempts or the presence of the issue. Organizations should also ensure that their Linux kernel versions are kept up to date with security patches and maintain a robust patch management process. For critical infrastructure, consider deploying redundant network paths or failover mechanisms to minimize service disruption risks.