CVE-2024-56708 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel's EDAC (Error Detection and Correction) subsystem, specifically within the igen6 driver module. The issue arises during the load and unload operations of the igen6 kernel module. During module loading (modprobe), the igen6_probe() function allocates memory for a private data structure (igen6_pvt) using kzalloc(), and then igen6_register_mci() sets a pointer (mci->pvt_info) to a member of this allocated structure. However, during module unloading (rmmod), the mci_release() function frees the memory pointed to by mci->pvt_info, and subsequently, igen6_remove() frees the entire igen6_pvt structure. This sequence leads to a double free (double kfree) of the same memory region, which can cause a segmentation fault (crash) in the kernel. The fix involves setting mci->pvt_info to NULL after the first free to prevent the double free. This vulnerability is a memory management flaw that can cause kernel instability or crashes when the module is unloaded. Although no known exploits are reported in the wild, the flaw could be triggered by an attacker with the ability to load and unload kernel modules, potentially leading to denial of service (DoS) through kernel panic or system crash. The vulnerability affects specific versions of the Linux kernel identified by the commit hash 10590a9d4f23e0a519730d79d39331df60ad2079, and it was published on December 28, 2024. No CVSS score has been assigned yet.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2024-56708 is the potential for denial of service due to kernel crashes when the vulnerable igen6 module is unloaded. This can disrupt critical services, especially in environments relying on Linux servers for infrastructure, cloud services, or embedded systems. Since the vulnerability requires module unload operations, it is more relevant in systems where kernel modules are dynamically managed, such as development, testing, or specialized server environments. The vulnerability does not appear to allow privilege escalation or arbitrary code execution directly, limiting its impact to availability concerns. However, in high-availability or critical infrastructure contexts common in Europe—such as telecommunications, finance, healthcare, and manufacturing—unexpected kernel crashes can lead to significant operational disruptions and potential financial losses. Additionally, organizations using customized or older Linux kernels that include the affected igen6 driver are at risk. The lack of known exploits reduces immediate threat but does not eliminate risk, especially if attackers develop exploits targeting this flaw.

To mitigate CVE-2024-56708, European organizations should: 1) Apply the official Linux kernel patches that fix the double free by setting mci->pvt_info to NULL after freeing memory, ensuring the system is updated to a kernel version that includes this fix. 2) Audit systems to identify the presence and usage of the igen6 EDAC driver module, particularly in environments where kernel modules are frequently loaded and unloaded. 3) Restrict permissions for loading and unloading kernel modules to trusted administrators only, minimizing the risk of exploitation by unauthorized users. 4) Implement monitoring for kernel module load/unload events and kernel crashes to detect potential exploitation attempts or instability. 5) For systems where patching is delayed, consider disabling the igen6 module if it is not critical to system operation, as a temporary workaround to prevent triggering the vulnerability. 6) Incorporate this vulnerability into vulnerability management and incident response plans to ensure timely detection and remediation.