CVE-2024-57978 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel, specifically within the media subsystem's imx-jpeg driver. The issue arises from improper handling of error pointers in the detach_pm() function. The problematic code checks if jpeg->pd_dev[i] is non-null and not suspended by calling pm_runtime_suspended(jpeg->pd_dev[i]). However, if jpeg->pd_dev[i] is an error pointer (a special pointer value used in the kernel to indicate errors), passing it directly to pm_runtime_suspended() leads to a kernel Oops, which is a form of kernel crash. The root cause is that the code does not properly verify whether jpeg->pd_dev[i] is an error pointer before dereferencing it. The other conditions in the code check for error pointers and NULL values, but the initial check lacks this, making the code vulnerable to dereferencing invalid pointers. The recommended fix is to use the IS_ERR_OR_NULL() macro to safely check for both error pointers and NULL values before using the pointer. This vulnerability can cause a denial of service (DoS) by crashing the kernel, impacting system stability and availability. There is no indication that this vulnerability allows privilege escalation or arbitrary code execution. No known exploits are reported in the wild at this time. The affected versions are specific Linux kernel commits identified by their hashes, indicating that this issue is present in certain development or stable branches of the Linux kernel. The vulnerability was published on February 27, 2025, and no CVSS score has been assigned yet.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-57978 primarily concerns system availability and stability. Since the vulnerability can cause a kernel Oops leading to a system crash, any Linux-based systems using the affected imx-jpeg driver could experience unexpected downtime. This is particularly relevant for organizations relying on embedded Linux systems or devices that use the imx-jpeg media driver, such as multimedia processing units, industrial control systems, or IoT devices. The disruption could affect critical infrastructure, manufacturing, telecommunications, or media processing services. Although this vulnerability does not appear to allow remote code execution or privilege escalation, the denial of service condition could be exploited by local attackers or malicious software to disrupt operations. European organizations with Linux-based infrastructure should be aware of this risk, especially those with embedded systems or specialized hardware using the affected driver. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk, but the potential for kernel crashes warrants prompt attention to prevent service interruptions.

1. Apply Kernel Updates: Organizations should monitor Linux kernel updates and apply patches that address CVE-2024-57978 as soon as they become available from their Linux distribution vendors or upstream kernel sources. 2. Audit Affected Systems: Identify systems running Linux kernels that include the imx-jpeg driver, particularly embedded or specialized devices, and verify if they are running vulnerable versions. 3. Implement Kernel Hardening: Use kernel hardening features such as kernel lockdown, seccomp filters, and memory protection mechanisms to reduce the impact of kernel crashes. 4. Limit Local Access: Restrict local user access to systems running the vulnerable driver to minimize the risk of local exploitation causing denial of service. 5. Monitor System Logs: Implement monitoring for kernel Oops or crash logs to detect attempts to trigger this vulnerability early. 6. Test Updates in Controlled Environments: Before deploying patches broadly, test them in staging environments to ensure stability and compatibility with existing systems. 7. Vendor Coordination: For embedded device manufacturers using the imx-jpeg driver, coordinate with hardware and software vendors to obtain patched firmware or kernel versions.