CVE-2024-56680 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel specifically affecting the Intel IPU6 (Image Processing Unit 6) media driver. The issue arises due to improper handling of interrupts on shared IRQ lines when the IPU6 device is disabled. In some hardware configurations, multiple devices share the same interrupt request line. When the IPU6 device is disabled but an interrupt is triggered by another device sharing the IRQ line, the interrupt service routine (ISR) reads a status register (ISR_STATUS) and receives a value of 0xffffffff, which is an invalid or unexpected status. The driver then attempts to handle all interrupt cases despite not being prepared for this scenario, leading to system instability and typically causing the entire system to hang or freeze. The root cause is the lack of a proper check to determine if the IPU6 device is active before processing interrupts. The fix involves using the pm_runtime_get_if_active() function to verify the device's enabled state before handling interrupts and preventing the device from suspending during interrupt processing. Additionally, synchronize_irq() is used during suspend operations to ensure no interrupts are being handled concurrently. This vulnerability affects Linux kernel versions containing the specified commit (ab29a2478e709b8fbb4715c51709275907c185db) and likely impacts systems running Intel IPU6 hardware with shared IRQ configurations. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no CVSS score has been assigned yet.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-56680 can be significant in environments where Linux systems utilize Intel IPU6 devices, particularly in media processing, embedded systems, or specialized hardware platforms. The primary impact is a denial of service (DoS) condition caused by system hangs or freezes when the vulnerability is triggered. This can disrupt critical services, especially in sectors relying on real-time media processing or embedded Linux devices such as telecommunications, automotive, industrial control, or IoT deployments. The vulnerability does not appear to allow privilege escalation or data leakage directly but can cause operational downtime and potential loss of availability. Organizations with Linux-based infrastructure that includes Intel IPU6 hardware must be aware of this risk, as unexpected system hangs can lead to service interruptions, impacting business continuity and potentially causing financial and reputational damage. Since the issue involves interrupt handling at the kernel level, recovery may require system reboots, further increasing downtime. The lack of known exploits reduces immediate risk, but the vulnerability should be addressed proactively to prevent future exploitation or accidental triggering.

To mitigate CVE-2024-56680, organizations should: 1) Apply the official Linux kernel patches that address this issue as soon as they become available, ensuring that the media/intel/ipu6 driver includes the fix using pm_runtime_get_if_active() and synchronize_irq() as described. 2) Audit and inventory Linux systems to identify those running Intel IPU6 hardware or related drivers, prioritizing patch deployment on these systems. 3) For embedded or specialized devices where kernel updates may be delayed, consider temporary workarounds such as disabling the IPU6 device if not in use or isolating affected systems from critical networks to reduce impact. 4) Monitor system logs and kernel messages for signs of interrupt handling anomalies or system hangs that could indicate triggering of this vulnerability. 5) Implement robust system monitoring and automated recovery mechanisms to minimize downtime in case of system hangs. 6) Coordinate with hardware vendors and Linux distribution maintainers to receive timely updates and guidance related to this vulnerability. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on hardware-specific identification, proactive patching, and operational monitoring tailored to the nature of the vulnerability.