CVE-2024-56746 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel's framebuffer device driver for the SH7760 platform (sh7760fb). The issue arises from improper memory management in the function sh7760fb_alloc_mem() and its corresponding deallocation function sh7760fb_free_mem(). Specifically, when the framebuffer information structure's screen_base pointer (info->screen_base) is not properly initialized or ready, the existing memory release routine fails to correctly free allocated memory. The fix involves replacing the faulty memory release call with dma_free_coherent(), which properly frees the DMA-coherent memory allocated earlier. This vulnerability is classified under CWE-401 (Memory Leak), indicating that the kernel may leak memory under certain conditions. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 3.3, reflecting a low severity level due to the local attack vector, low complexity, and requirement for privileges. The impact is limited to availability degradation caused by memory leaks, without affecting confidentiality or integrity. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and the affected versions are specific commits or builds of the Linux kernel identified by the hash 4a25e41831ee851c1365d8b41decc22493b18e6d. This vulnerability is relevant primarily to systems running the Linux kernel on the SH7760 platform or similar embedded hardware using this framebuffer driver. The issue does not require user interaction but does require local privileges to trigger the memory leak. The flaw could lead to gradual resource exhaustion if exploited repeatedly, potentially causing system instability or crashes.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-56746 is generally low but context-dependent. Organizations operating embedded Linux systems or specialized hardware platforms using the SH7760 framebuffer driver could experience memory leaks leading to degraded system availability or crashes. This could affect industrial control systems, telecommunications equipment, or specialized embedded devices prevalent in sectors such as manufacturing, transportation, or critical infrastructure. However, the vulnerability does not compromise data confidentiality or integrity, limiting its risk to denial-of-service scenarios. The requirement for local privileges restricts exploitation to insiders or attackers who have already gained some level of access. Therefore, the threat is more relevant to organizations with less mature endpoint security or those deploying affected embedded Linux devices in critical roles. The low severity and absence of known exploits reduce immediate risk, but unpatched systems could face stability issues over time, especially in environments with constrained resources or long uptimes.

To mitigate CVE-2024-56746, European organizations should: 1) Identify and inventory all Linux systems running the affected kernel versions, particularly those using the SH7760 framebuffer driver or similar embedded platforms. 2) Apply the official Linux kernel patches or updates that correct the memory leak by ensuring dma_free_coherent() is called appropriately in the framebuffer driver. 3) For embedded devices where kernel updates are challenging, consider vendor firmware updates or workarounds that prevent the vulnerable code path from executing. 4) Implement monitoring for unusual memory consumption or system instability on affected devices to detect potential exploitation attempts. 5) Enforce strict access controls and privilege management to prevent unauthorized local access that could trigger the vulnerability. 6) Regularly audit and update embedded Linux systems as part of the organization's patch management lifecycle, emphasizing critical infrastructure and industrial control environments. 7) Engage with hardware vendors to confirm the presence of patches or mitigations in device firmware and coordinate timely updates.