CVE-2024-58074 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel's Direct Rendering Manager (DRM) subsystem, specifically within the Intel i915 graphics driver. The issue arises from improper handling of the 'intel_display' reference in the encoder hooks. The vulnerability is due to the encoder hooks grabbing the 'intel_display' from the 'state' object rather than directly from the 'encoder'. This leads to a problematic scenario in the function intel_sanitize_encoder(), which passes a NULL pointer as the 'state' argument to the encoder's disable() and post_disable() callbacks. Such NULL dereferences can cause kernel oopses (crashes) or potentially lead to undefined behavior in the kernel graphics driver. The root cause is a design flaw in how the encoder state is sanitized and managed during display state transitions. The patch involves changing the code to grab the intel_display reference directly from the encoder instead of the state, thereby avoiding the NULL pointer dereference. However, the underlying function intel_sanitize_encoder() still requires a more comprehensive fix, as noted by the developers. This vulnerability is specific to the Linux kernel's Intel graphics driver and affects versions identified by the commit hash ab0b0eb5c85c5961913bdb9b8011cc8f5c14978a. There are no known exploits in the wild at the time of publication, and no CVSS score has been assigned yet. The vulnerability primarily impacts system stability and availability due to potential kernel crashes triggered by malformed or unexpected display state changes. Since it involves kernel-level code, exploitation would require local access or a scenario where an attacker can trigger the vulnerable code path, possibly via crafted user-space interactions with the graphics subsystem.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-58074 centers on system availability and stability, particularly for systems relying on Intel integrated graphics running Linux. This includes servers, workstations, and embedded devices using the affected Linux kernel versions. A kernel oops or crash can lead to denial of service, disrupting business operations, especially in environments where uptime is critical such as financial institutions, healthcare providers, and industrial control systems. Although the vulnerability does not appear to allow privilege escalation or direct code execution, repeated crashes could be exploited to cause persistent denial of service or potentially facilitate further attacks if combined with other vulnerabilities. Organizations using Linux distributions with Intel graphics support should be aware that this vulnerability could affect graphical user interface responsiveness and system reliability. Given the widespread use of Linux in European public sector, research institutions, and technology companies, the vulnerability could have broad implications if left unpatched. However, the lack of known exploits and the requirement for local or privileged access reduce the immediate risk of widespread exploitation.

1. Apply the latest Linux kernel updates from trusted sources or distribution vendors that include the patch for CVE-2024-58074. Monitor vendor advisories for updated kernels addressing this issue. 2. For environments where immediate patching is not feasible, consider restricting access to systems with Intel integrated graphics to trusted users only, minimizing the risk of local exploitation. 3. Implement kernel crash monitoring and alerting to detect any abnormal oops or crashes related to the i915 driver, enabling rapid response and investigation. 4. Review and harden user-space applications and services that interact with the graphics subsystem to prevent malformed or malicious requests that could trigger the vulnerable code path. 5. For critical systems, consider deploying kernel lockdown features or mandatory access controls (e.g., SELinux, AppArmor) to limit the ability of unprivileged users to interact with kernel graphics interfaces. 6. Engage with Linux distribution security teams to track the status of the comprehensive fix for intel_sanitize_encoder() and plan for subsequent updates.