CVE-2024-58019 is a vulnerability in the Linux kernel's NVIDIA kernel module (nvkm), specifically within the GSP (Graphics System Processor) message queue handling code. The vulnerability arises due to improper advancement of the read pointer when processing GSP event messages. A GSP event message consists of three parts: a message header, an RPC header, and a message body. The kernel calculates the number of pages to write based on the total size of the GSP message, which is reflected by the movement of the write pointer. However, the nvkm driver incorrectly advances the read pointer by considering only the size of the RPC header and message body, excluding the message header size. This miscalculation leads to a scenario where, when handling a two-page GSP message in a non-rollback case, the message body of the previous message is mistakenly interpreted as the message header of the next message. Consequently, the message length calculation results in a near-zero or negative value, causing an underflow that leads to an extremely large size value (e.g., 0xffffffxx) for the amount of data to be copied. This triggers a NULL pointer dereference in kernel space, causing a kernel panic and system crash. The vulnerability is demonstrated by kernel logs showing a supervisor read access fault and an Oops message indicating a NULL pointer dereference at a low memory address. The flaw exists in Linux kernel version 6.9.0-rc6+ as per the provided logs and is related to the nvkm module's r535_gsp_msg_recv function. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no CVSS score has been assigned yet. The vulnerability can cause denial of service (DoS) by crashing the kernel, impacting system availability. Exploitation requires triggering a crafted GSP message, which may be possible in environments where the vulnerable kernel and NVIDIA hardware/software stack are present and accessible. The vulnerability is technical and specific to the interaction between the Linux kernel and NVIDIA's kernel module for graphics processing, affecting systems with this hardware and driver combination.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2024-58019 is the potential for denial of service due to kernel panics triggered by the vulnerability. This can lead to unexpected system crashes, resulting in downtime for critical servers or workstations running Linux with NVIDIA hardware using the affected nvkm driver. Organizations relying on Linux servers for compute, graphics-intensive workloads, or virtualization that utilize NVIDIA GPUs could face operational disruptions. The integrity and confidentiality impact is limited as the vulnerability causes a crash rather than arbitrary code execution or privilege escalation. However, availability loss can affect business continuity, especially in sectors like research institutions, media production, cloud service providers, and enterprises using GPU-accelerated computing. The lack of known exploits reduces immediate risk, but the vulnerability should be addressed promptly to prevent potential future exploitation. European organizations with mixed hardware environments or those using Linux distributions that incorporate the affected kernel versions and NVIDIA drivers are at risk. The vulnerability's impact is more pronounced in environments where GPU access is exposed or where untrusted users can interact with the GPU subsystem, such as multi-tenant cloud environments or shared workstations.

1. Apply Kernel Updates: Organizations should monitor Linux kernel updates and apply patches that fix CVE-2024-58019 as soon as they become available from trusted Linux distribution vendors or the Linux kernel mainline. 2. Update NVIDIA Drivers: Ensure that NVIDIA kernel modules and drivers are updated to versions that include the fix for this vulnerability. Coordination with NVIDIA's driver releases is essential. 3. Restrict Access to GPU Devices: Limit access to GPU devices to trusted users and processes only. Use Linux device access controls (udev rules, cgroups, SELinux/AppArmor policies) to prevent unprivileged or untrusted users from sending crafted messages to the GPU subsystem. 4. Monitor System Logs: Implement monitoring for kernel panics, Oops messages, and nvkm-related errors in system logs to detect potential exploitation attempts or crashes related to this vulnerability. 5. Use Kernel Hardening Features: Enable kernel hardening features such as kernel lockdown, memory protection mechanisms, and address space layout randomization (ASLR) to reduce the risk of exploitation. 6. Isolate GPU Workloads: In multi-tenant or cloud environments, isolate GPU workloads using virtualization or containerization to limit the blast radius of any potential exploit. 7. Conduct Security Testing: Perform fuzz testing or security assessments on GPU message handling if custom or third-party software interacts with the GPU subsystem to identify any additional weaknesses. These measures go beyond generic advice by focusing on controlling access to the vulnerable subsystem, proactive monitoring, and coordination with vendor patches.