CVE-2024-57948 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel's mac802154 subsystem, which handles IEEE 802.15.4 network interfaces. The issue arises from improper handling of local interface lists during the removal of an IEEE 802.15.4 network interface after the corresponding hardware device has been unregistered. Specifically, the vulnerability is due to a missing check for the presence of local interfaces before deleting the sdata list, leading to a corrupted linked list and a kernel BUG triggered in list_debug.c. This bug manifests as an invalid opcode exception and kernel crash (Oops) during the execution of ieee802154_if_remove, which is part of the interface removal process. The root cause is a race condition or ordering flaw where the net device is unregistered, but the RCU (Read-Copy-Update) grace period has not completed before the interface removal proceeds, causing use-after-free or list corruption. The vulnerability was discovered via syzkaller, a kernel fuzzing tool, and results in a kernel panic or crash, impacting system stability and availability. The affected Linux kernel versions include those around the 6.12.0-rc6 release candidate, with the patch involving adding a check for local->interfaces before deleting the sdata list to prevent list corruption. No known exploits are reported in the wild as of the publication date, and no CVSS score has been assigned yet.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-57948 primarily concerns systems running Linux kernels with the affected mac802154 subsystem, particularly those utilizing IEEE 802.15.4 wireless interfaces. This includes IoT devices, industrial control systems, and embedded systems that rely on low-power wireless communication standards common in smart city infrastructure, industrial automation, and sensor networks. A successful exploitation leads to kernel crashes and system instability, resulting in denial of service (DoS). While this vulnerability does not directly lead to privilege escalation or remote code execution, the resulting DoS can disrupt critical services, cause downtime, and potentially impact safety-critical operations. European organizations deploying Linux-based IoT gateways, edge devices, or network infrastructure that use IEEE 802.15.4 could face operational interruptions. Additionally, the requirement for local interface manipulation and kernel-level access means exploitation is more likely in environments where attackers have some level of system access, such as insider threats or compromised devices. The lack of known exploits reduces immediate risk, but the vulnerability's presence in widely used Linux kernels necessitates prompt attention to avoid future exploitation as attackers develop techniques to trigger the bug remotely or via crafted inputs.

1. Immediate application of the official Linux kernel patch that adds the necessary check for local interfaces before deleting the sdata list in the mac802154 subsystem. This patch prevents list corruption and kernel crashes. 2. For organizations unable to upgrade immediately, implement kernel-level monitoring to detect and alert on ieee802154_if_remove failures or kernel BUG messages related to list corruption. 3. Restrict access to systems with IEEE 802.15.4 interfaces to trusted users and processes only, minimizing the risk of malicious interface removal attempts. 4. Harden system configurations by disabling unused IEEE 802.15.4 interfaces or modules if not required, reducing the attack surface. 5. Employ kernel lockdown features and secure boot mechanisms to prevent unauthorized kernel module loading or tampering. 6. Conduct thorough testing of kernel updates in staging environments to ensure stability and compatibility before deployment. 7. Maintain up-to-date inventory of devices using IEEE 802.15.4 to prioritize patching and monitoring efforts. 8. Collaborate with device vendors and Linux distribution maintainers to ensure timely patch distribution and deployment.