CVE-2024-58079 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel's media subsystem, specifically within the uvcvideo driver that handles USB video class devices. The flaw arises from improper device management during the unbinding process of the driver from a USB interface. The root cause is the incorrect use of the USB device object instead of the USB interface device for device-managed functions. This leads to a scenario where, upon unbinding the driver from the USB interface, the expected cleanup functions are not invoked. Consequently, the interrupt request (IRQ) line associated with the device is not disabled. If an IRQ is subsequently triggered, it attempts to access memory regions that have already been freed, resulting in a kernel OOPS (a form of kernel crash). The vulnerability is constrained to devices that include GPIO units and requires manual unbinding of the device driver; a simple device disconnect does not trigger the issue. The developers also noted that the typical device-managed IRQ request functions (devm_request_threaded_irq) cannot be used here because the cleanup functions might be called after the main device structure has been released, which would cause further instability. Overall, the vulnerability leads to a denial of service condition via kernel crash but does not appear to allow privilege escalation or arbitrary code execution. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and the impact is limited by the specific hardware and user action required to trigger the fault.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-58079 is primarily related to system stability and availability. Systems running Linux kernels with the affected uvcvideo driver and connected to USB video devices that include GPIO units could experience kernel crashes if the driver is manually unbound. This could disrupt services relying on such devices, including video conferencing, surveillance, or other multimedia applications. However, the requirement for manual unbinding and the specificity of the hardware reduces the likelihood of widespread disruption. The vulnerability does not appear to compromise confidentiality or integrity directly, nor does it enable remote code execution or privilege escalation. Nonetheless, in environments where uptime and reliability are critical—such as industrial control systems, healthcare, or critical infrastructure—unexpected kernel crashes could have operational consequences. Additionally, organizations with custom or specialized Linux deployments that utilize USB video devices with GPIO units should be particularly attentive. Since no known exploits exist in the wild, the immediate risk is low, but patching remains important to prevent potential future exploitation or accidental triggering during maintenance.

To mitigate CVE-2024-58079, organizations should apply the official Linux kernel patches that correct the device management logic in the uvcvideo driver as soon as they become available. Until patches are deployed, avoid manually unbinding the uvcvideo driver from USB interfaces on devices with GPIO units. System administrators should audit their environments to identify systems using affected Linux kernel versions and connected USB video devices with GPIO capabilities. Monitoring kernel logs for OOPS or crash reports related to uvcvideo can help detect attempts to trigger the vulnerability. For environments where unbinding is necessary, consider implementing controlled procedures to minimize risk, such as performing these actions during maintenance windows and ensuring backups and failover mechanisms are in place. Additionally, maintain up-to-date kernel versions and subscribe to Linux kernel security advisories to promptly address similar issues. Since devm_request_threaded_irq cannot be used safely here, developers and maintainers should review and test alternative resource management approaches to prevent similar issues in future driver updates.