CVE-2024-56574 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel specifically within the media subsystem's ts2020 driver. The issue arises during the dynamic registration of an I2C device via sysfs, where the probe function ts2020_probe() attempts to access platform data that is not provided, leading to a null pointer dereference (null-ptr-deref). This vulnerability was detected by Kernel Address Sanitizer (KASAN) when executing the command to register a new I2C device: 'echo ts2020 0x20 > /sys/bus/i2c/devices/i2c-0/new_device'. The lack of platform data causes the probe function to dereference a null pointer, resulting in a kernel crash or system instability. The root cause is that the ts2020 driver's probe function does not validate the presence of platform data before accessing it. The fix involves adding proper checks to ensure platform data is present before use, preventing the null pointer dereference. This vulnerability affects Linux kernel versions including the commit identified by hash dc245a5f9b5163511e0c164c8aa47848f07b75a9 and likely other versions around this commit. The vulnerability is triggered locally by users with the ability to write to sysfs entries related to I2C device registration, which typically requires root or elevated privileges. There are no known exploits in the wild at the time of publication, and no CVSS score has been assigned yet. The vulnerability primarily impacts system stability and availability due to potential kernel crashes caused by the null pointer dereference in the ts2020 driver during device probing.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-56574 centers on system availability and reliability, particularly for systems running Linux kernels with the affected ts2020 driver. This includes servers, embedded devices, and industrial control systems that utilize the ts2020 media driver or dynamically register I2C devices via sysfs. A successful exploitation could cause kernel panics or crashes, leading to denial of service conditions. While the vulnerability requires local elevated privileges to trigger, it could be leveraged by attackers who have already gained limited access to escalate disruption or cause system outages. This is particularly critical for sectors relying on Linux-based infrastructure for media processing, telecommunications, or embedded systems in manufacturing and critical infrastructure. The vulnerability does not directly expose confidentiality or integrity risks but can degrade operational continuity. European organizations with Linux-based deployments in telecommunications, media production, or industrial automation should be aware of this risk. Additionally, the reliance on Linux in cloud and data center environments means that unpatched systems could experience service interruptions, impacting business operations and service level agreements.

To mitigate CVE-2024-56574, European organizations should: 1) Apply the latest Linux kernel patches that include the fix for the ts2020 driver null pointer dereference. Monitor kernel updates from trusted Linux distributions and vendors to ensure timely patching. 2) Restrict write access to sysfs interfaces related to I2C device registration to trusted administrators only, minimizing the risk of unauthorized device registration attempts. 3) Implement strict privilege separation and use of mandatory access controls (e.g., SELinux, AppArmor) to limit the ability of unprivileged users or compromised processes to interact with kernel device registration interfaces. 4) Conduct audits of systems to identify the presence of the ts2020 driver and assess whether dynamic I2C device registration is used or exposed. Disable or blacklist the ts2020 driver if it is not required to reduce the attack surface. 5) Employ kernel hardening techniques such as Kernel Address Sanitizer (KASAN) in testing environments to detect similar issues proactively. 6) Maintain robust monitoring and alerting for kernel crashes or unusual sysfs activity that could indicate exploitation attempts. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on controlling access to the vulnerable interface, driver usage assessment, and proactive detection.