CVE-2024-58087 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel specifically affecting the ksmbd (Kernel SMB Daemon) component. The vulnerability arises from a race condition during session lookup and expiration processes. In detail, the issue occurs because the session reference count is not incremented within the protection of a lock during session lookup. This flaw allows a race condition between session lookup and session expiration, potentially leading to use-after-free or other synchronization issues. The fix involves incrementing the session reference count while holding the lock to ensure that the session cannot be expired or freed while it is still being referenced. The vulnerability affects certain versions of the Linux kernel identified by specific commit hashes, indicating it is tied to particular kernel builds or patches. No known exploits are reported in the wild as of the publication date, and no CVSS score has been assigned yet. The vulnerability is technical and low-level, related to kernel synchronization mechanisms in the SMB server implementation within the Linux kernel.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability could be significant depending on their use of Linux servers running the ksmbd service, which provides SMB protocol support for file sharing. Exploitation of this race condition could lead to kernel memory corruption, potentially causing system crashes (denial of service) or enabling privilege escalation if an attacker can manipulate session states. This could compromise the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of critical systems, especially in environments relying on Linux-based file servers or network-attached storage solutions. Organizations in sectors such as finance, government, telecommunications, and critical infrastructure that use Linux extensively could face operational disruptions or data breaches if exploited. However, the lack of known exploits and the complexity of triggering race conditions in kernel code somewhat limit immediate risk, but the vulnerability should be treated seriously due to its kernel-level impact.

To mitigate this vulnerability, European organizations should promptly apply the official Linux kernel patches that address CVE-2024-58087 as soon as they are released and tested for their environments. System administrators should verify that their Linux distributions have incorporated the fix in their kernel updates. Additionally, organizations should audit their use of ksmbd services and consider disabling or restricting SMB services on Linux hosts where not necessary to reduce attack surface. Employing kernel hardening techniques such as Kernel Address Space Layout Randomization (KASLR), Control Flow Integrity (CFI), and running services with least privilege can further reduce exploitation risk. Monitoring logs for unusual SMB session activity and implementing network segmentation to isolate SMB servers can also help contain potential exploitation attempts. Finally, maintaining a robust patch management process and vulnerability scanning for Linux kernel updates is critical to timely remediation.