CVE-2024-56554 is a high-severity use-after-free (UAF) vulnerability in the Linux kernel's binder driver, which is a critical IPC (Inter-Process Communication) mechanism primarily used in Android and other Linux-based systems. The vulnerability arises in the binder_release_work() function, where a binder reference is cleaned up but any associated freeze work queued in the process's workqueue is not properly removed. This leads to a scenario where the reference is freed while the freeze work is still queued, causing a use-after-free condition. The kernel's Address Sanitizer (KASAN) detected this flaw, highlighting a read of freed memory during the execution of binder_release_work. Exploiting this vulnerability could allow a local attacker with limited privileges (PR:L) to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service by corrupting kernel memory, impacting confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The CVSS v3.1 score is 7.8, reflecting high impact on all three security aspects with relatively low attack complexity and no user interaction required. The vulnerability affects specific Linux kernel versions prior to the patch that ensures queued freeze work is removed when cleaning up binder references, thus preventing the use-after-free condition. This flaw is categorized under CWE-416 (Use After Free). No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, but the nature of the vulnerability and its location in the kernel IPC mechanism make it a significant risk if weaponized.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-56554 can be substantial, especially those relying on Linux-based infrastructure or Android devices for critical operations. The binder driver is integral to Android OS, which is widely used in mobile devices, embedded systems, and IoT devices across Europe. Exploitation could lead to privilege escalation, allowing attackers to gain kernel-level code execution, potentially compromising sensitive data and disrupting services. Enterprises using Linux servers with affected kernel versions may face risks of system crashes or unauthorized access, affecting service availability and data integrity. Critical sectors such as telecommunications, finance, healthcare, and government agencies that deploy Linux-based systems or Android devices are particularly vulnerable. The vulnerability's exploitation could facilitate lateral movement within networks or persistent footholds, complicating incident response and increasing operational risk. Given the high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts, organizations must prioritize patching and mitigation to maintain compliance with European data protection regulations like GDPR and ensure operational resilience.

1. Immediate application of the official Linux kernel patches that address CVE-2024-56554 is the most effective mitigation. Organizations should track kernel updates from their Linux distribution vendors and deploy them promptly. 2. For Android devices, ensure that OEMs and mobile device management (MDM) solutions push security updates to end-user devices swiftly. 3. Implement strict access controls to limit local user privileges, reducing the risk of exploitation by unprivileged users. 4. Employ kernel hardening techniques such as Kernel Address Space Layout Randomization (KASLR) and Kernel Page Table Isolation (KPTI) to increase exploitation difficulty. 5. Monitor system logs and kernel messages for anomalies related to binder operations or unexpected workqueue activity that could indicate exploitation attempts. 6. Use security tools capable of detecting use-after-free conditions or unusual kernel memory behavior in testing environments to proactively identify vulnerable systems. 7. For embedded and IoT devices running affected kernels, coordinate with vendors for firmware updates or consider network segmentation to isolate vulnerable devices. 8. Maintain an up-to-date asset inventory to identify all systems running affected kernel versions to ensure comprehensive patch coverage.