CVE-2024-58012 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel's ALSA System on Chip (ASoC) Sound Open Firmware (SOF) Intel driver, specifically within the hda-dai component responsible for handling Digital Audio Interface (DAI) widgets. The issue arises because each CPU DAI is expected to be associated with a valid DAI widget. However, in certain audio topologies that use aggregated amplifiers, the system may fail to create the correct number of DAI widgets. This mismatch leads to scenarios where the CPU DAI references a NULL pointer due to the absence of a corresponding widget. The vulnerability manifests as a NULL pointer dereference, which can cause the kernel to crash or become unstable when the affected code path is executed. The patch for this vulnerability ensures that the DAI widget associated with the CPU DAI is validated before use, preventing the NULL pointer dereference. This flaw is rooted in the audio subsystem's topology handling and does not appear to be exploitable remotely or without local access. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and the vulnerability affects specific Linux kernel versions identified by the commit hash 4c414da93a4642d02c67fbe82f1834be7bf586b7. The vulnerability is technical and low-level, impacting kernel stability rather than directly compromising confidentiality or integrity of data.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2024-58012 is potential system instability or denial of service (DoS) on Linux systems utilizing the affected SOF Intel audio drivers with aggregated amplifier topologies. This could disrupt services or user operations on affected devices, particularly those relying on Linux for audio processing or embedded systems with these audio configurations. While the vulnerability does not appear to allow privilege escalation or data compromise, the resulting kernel crashes could lead to downtime, loss of productivity, or interruption of critical services, especially in environments where Linux is used in multimedia, telecommunication, or industrial control systems. Organizations with Linux-based infrastructure that includes audio processing components should be aware of this risk. However, the scope is somewhat limited as it requires specific hardware configurations and kernel versions. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk, but unpatched systems remain vulnerable to accidental crashes or potential future exploitation if attackers find a way to leverage the NULL pointer dereference for more severe impacts.

To mitigate CVE-2024-58012, European organizations should: 1) Apply the official Linux kernel patches that validate the DAI widget before use, ensuring the NULL pointer dereference is prevented. This involves updating to the fixed kernel version or applying the relevant commit identified by the hash 4c414da93a4642d02c67fbe82f1834be7bf586b7. 2) Audit Linux systems to identify those using the SOF Intel audio driver with aggregated amplifier topologies, prioritizing patching on these systems. 3) Implement kernel crash monitoring and alerting to detect any unexpected reboots or instability that could indicate exploitation or triggering of this vulnerability. 4) For critical systems where immediate patching is not feasible, consider disabling or limiting the use of affected audio components if possible, to reduce exposure. 5) Maintain up-to-date inventories of Linux kernel versions and hardware configurations to quickly assess exposure and respond to future advisories. 6) Engage with hardware and Linux distribution vendors to ensure timely updates and support for this vulnerability. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on targeted identification of affected systems and proactive monitoring for stability issues related to this specific kernel component.