CVE-2024-56630 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel specifically affecting the OCFS2 (Oracle Cluster File System version 2) filesystem implementation. The issue arises from improper error handling in the ocfs2_get_init_inode() function. When the function dquot_initialize() fails after a successful new_inode() call, the code neglects to release the allocated inode by calling iput(), resulting in a resource leak. This leads to busy inodes persisting after the filesystem is unmounted, which can cause inode exhaustion or inconsistent filesystem state. The root cause is a missing cleanup step in the error path, which was introduced in commit 9c89fe0af826. The vulnerability does not appear to have known exploits in the wild and affects specific Linux kernel versions containing the faulty commit. Since OCFS2 is a clustered filesystem used primarily in enterprise environments for shared storage, this flaw could impact systems relying on OCFS2 for high-availability or clustered storage solutions. The vulnerability primarily affects inode lifecycle management, potentially leading to resource leaks and degraded system stability or availability under certain conditions.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-56630 depends on the extent of OCFS2 usage within their Linux environments. Enterprises using OCFS2 for clustered storage in data centers or critical infrastructure could experience inode leaks causing resource exhaustion, leading to degraded filesystem performance or failures in mounting/unmounting operations. This can disrupt applications relying on shared storage, impacting availability and operational continuity. While the vulnerability does not directly expose confidentiality or integrity risks, the resulting instability could indirectly affect service reliability and uptime. Organizations with large-scale Linux deployments in sectors such as finance, telecommunications, manufacturing, or public services that utilize OCFS2 may face operational challenges if the vulnerability is exploited or triggered inadvertently. However, since no active exploits are reported, the immediate risk is moderate but warrants timely patching to prevent potential denial-of-service conditions.

To mitigate CVE-2024-56630, organizations should: 1) Identify Linux systems running kernel versions containing the vulnerable commit (9c89fe0af826) and verify OCFS2 usage. 2) Apply the official Linux kernel patches or updates that fix the inode cleanup issue as soon as they become available from trusted Linux distributions or kernel maintainers. 3) Monitor inode usage and filesystem health metrics on OCFS2 mounts to detect abnormal inode retention or resource exhaustion early. 4) Implement proactive filesystem maintenance and regular reboots or remounts if immediate patching is not feasible, to clear inode states. 5) Limit access to systems using OCFS2 to trusted administrators and enforce strict change management to prevent accidental triggering of the bug. 6) Engage with Linux vendor support channels for backported fixes if using long-term support kernels. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on OCFS2-specific monitoring and patch prioritization aligned with organizational risk profiles.