CVE-2024-58014 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel's wireless driver component, specifically within the brcmsmac driver which handles Broadcom wireless chipsets. The issue resides in the function wlc_phy_iqcal_gainparams_nphy(), which is responsible for managing gain parameters during IQ calibration of the wireless PHY layer. The vulnerability stems from the absence of proper bounds checking on the gain parameters array tbl_iqcal_gainparams_nphy, which could lead to out-of-bounds memory access. This improper validation may cause the kernel to access memory outside the intended range, potentially resulting in undefined behavior such as kernel warnings, crashes (kernel panic), or memory corruption. The fix involves adding a gain range check to trigger a WARN() condition before any out-of-bounds access occurs, thereby preventing the vulnerability from being exploited. The vulnerability was discovered by the Linux Verification Center using static analysis tools (SVACE) and has been addressed in recent kernel revisions. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and the vulnerability requires the presence of the affected wireless driver and hardware. Since this is a kernel-level issue, successful exploitation could impact system stability and security, especially on systems using affected Broadcom wireless chipsets with the brcmsmac driver. The vulnerability affects specific Linux kernel versions identified by commit hashes, indicating it is limited to certain kernel builds prior to the patch. No CVSS score has been assigned yet, and no authentication or user interaction is explicitly required to trigger the issue, but physical or local access to the affected system is likely needed to exploit it.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-58014 primarily concerns systems running Linux kernels with the vulnerable brcmsmac wireless driver and Broadcom wireless hardware. This includes enterprise servers, workstations, and embedded devices that rely on Linux for wireless connectivity. Potential impacts include system instability due to kernel crashes, denial of service from kernel panics, and in worst cases, memory corruption that could be leveraged for privilege escalation or arbitrary code execution by a local attacker. Organizations in sectors with high reliance on Linux-based infrastructure—such as telecommunications, manufacturing, research institutions, and critical infrastructure—may face operational disruptions if affected systems are exploited. Additionally, embedded Linux devices used in IoT or industrial control systems within Europe could be vulnerable, posing risks to availability and safety. Although no active exploits are known, the vulnerability's presence in the kernel wireless driver makes it a concern for environments where wireless connectivity is essential. The lack of a remote exploit vector reduces the risk for purely remote attacks, but insider threats or attackers with local access could leverage this vulnerability. Overall, the threat could lead to decreased system reliability and potential security breaches if exploited in sensitive environments.

To mitigate CVE-2024-58014, European organizations should: 1) Identify and inventory all Linux systems using the brcmsmac wireless driver and Broadcom wireless chipsets. 2) Apply the latest Linux kernel patches that include the fix for this vulnerability as soon as they become available from trusted Linux distributions or kernel maintainers. 3) For systems where immediate patching is not feasible, consider disabling the brcmsmac driver or replacing affected wireless hardware with alternatives not using this driver. 4) Monitor system logs for WARN() messages or unusual kernel warnings related to wireless driver operations, which may indicate attempted exploitation or instability. 5) Implement strict access controls to limit local user access to trusted personnel only, reducing the risk of local exploitation. 6) Employ kernel hardening techniques such as Kernel Address Space Layout Randomization (KASLR) and secure boot to reduce the attack surface. 7) Maintain up-to-date intrusion detection and prevention systems capable of detecting anomalous kernel behavior. 8) Engage with Linux vendor support channels to receive timely updates and advisories related to this vulnerability.