CVE-2024-56546 is a memory management vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel, specifically within the Xilinx SoC (System on Chip) driver code. The issue arises in the function xlnx_add_cb_for_suspend(), which is responsible for handling suspend callbacks. During the execution of this function, if the kernel fails to allocate memory for the callback data structure (cb_data) using kmalloc, the previously allocated memory for eve_data is not freed due to a missing kfree() call in the error handling path. This results in a memory leak within the kernel's driver subsystem. Although this vulnerability does not directly lead to remote code execution or privilege escalation, the memory leak can degrade system stability and reliability over time, especially in environments where suspend/resume cycles are frequent or where memory resources are constrained. The vulnerability affects Linux kernel versions identified by the commit hash 05e5ba40ea7ab6a99bb8d6117c899d0e13ca8700, indicating a specific code state rather than a broad version range. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no CVSS score has been assigned yet. The fix involves adding the missing kfree() call to properly release allocated memory in the error path, preventing the leak.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2024-56546 lies in potential system instability and degraded performance on Linux systems utilizing the affected Xilinx SoC drivers. This is particularly relevant for industries relying on embedded Linux devices, such as telecommunications, industrial automation, automotive, and IoT deployments, where Xilinx hardware is common. Memory leaks can lead to gradual exhaustion of kernel memory, causing system slowdowns, increased crash rates, or unexpected reboots, which can disrupt critical services and operational continuity. While the vulnerability does not appear to allow direct compromise of confidentiality or integrity, availability may be indirectly affected due to system instability. Organizations with large-scale deployments of embedded Linux systems or those using Xilinx SoC-based devices in production environments should be aware of this risk. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate threat but does not eliminate the need for timely patching to maintain system reliability.

To mitigate CVE-2024-56546, European organizations should: 1) Identify all Linux systems running kernels with the affected Xilinx SoC driver version, focusing on embedded and specialized hardware environments. 2) Apply the official Linux kernel patches that add the missing kfree() call in the xlnx_add_cb_for_suspend() function as soon as they become available from trusted sources or Linux distributions. 3) For systems where immediate patching is not feasible, implement monitoring for unusual memory consumption patterns or kernel logs indicating memory allocation failures related to the Xilinx driver. 4) Engage with hardware vendors and Linux distribution maintainers to obtain updated kernel packages and verify that the fix is included in upcoming releases. 5) Incorporate this vulnerability into existing vulnerability management and patching workflows to ensure timely remediation. 6) Conduct regression testing post-patch to confirm system stability and absence of side effects. These steps go beyond generic advice by emphasizing targeted identification of affected systems, proactive monitoring, and vendor coordination.