CVE-2024-57879 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel's Bluetooth subsystem, specifically related to the ISO (Isochronous Channels) implementation. The issue arises in the function iso_listen_bis, where the Bluetooth device handle (hdev) is not properly released in all code paths. The function hci_get_route acquires a reference to the Bluetooth device before returning it, which must be balanced by a corresponding release call (hci_dev_put) to avoid resource leaks. The vulnerability occurs because hci_dev_put is not always called at the end of iso_listen_bis, especially when the function returns early due to an error. This improper handling can lead to resource leaks, potentially causing memory exhaustion or instability in the Bluetooth subsystem. While the vulnerability does not directly indicate a remote code execution or privilege escalation vector, the improper resource management could be exploited by an attacker with local access to cause denial of service (DoS) conditions by exhausting kernel resources or destabilizing Bluetooth functionality. The vulnerability affects specific Linux kernel versions identified by commit hashes, indicating it is present in certain recent kernel builds. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no CVSS score has been assigned yet. The fix involves ensuring that hci_dev_put is always called to release the device handle at the end of iso_listen_bis, regardless of the function's return path.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-57879 primarily revolves around potential denial of service scenarios affecting systems that rely on Linux-based Bluetooth functionality. This includes a wide range of devices such as laptops, embedded systems, IoT devices, and industrial equipment running vulnerable Linux kernels. Organizations with critical infrastructure or operational technology that use Bluetooth for communication or control could experience service interruptions or degraded performance. Although the vulnerability requires local access to exploit, insider threats or compromised endpoints could leverage this flaw to disrupt services. The impact on confidentiality and integrity is limited since the vulnerability does not directly enable code execution or privilege escalation. However, availability could be affected, which is significant for sectors like manufacturing, healthcare, and transportation where Bluetooth connectivity is integral. Additionally, the widespread use of Linux in European data centers and enterprise environments means that unpatched systems could face stability issues, complicating operational continuity and incident response.

To mitigate CVE-2024-57879, European organizations should: 1) Identify and inventory all Linux systems running affected kernel versions, focusing on those with Bluetooth enabled. 2) Apply the official Linux kernel patches or updates that address this vulnerability as soon as they become available, ensuring that the hci_dev_put call is correctly implemented in iso_listen_bis. 3) For systems where immediate patching is not feasible, consider disabling Bluetooth functionality if it is not essential, to reduce the attack surface. 4) Implement strict local access controls and monitoring to detect unusual Bluetooth subsystem behavior or resource exhaustion symptoms. 5) Incorporate this vulnerability into vulnerability management and patching workflows, prioritizing systems with critical Bluetooth dependencies. 6) Conduct testing in staging environments to verify that patches do not disrupt existing Bluetooth operations. 7) Educate IT and security teams about the vulnerability to improve detection and response capabilities.