CVE-2024-58092 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel's NFS daemon (nfsd) subsystem, specifically related to legacy client tracking initialization. The issue arises from improper handling of the initialization function nfsd4_legacy_tracking_ops->init() within the check_for_legacy_methods() routine. In the flawed implementation, this initialization function is called twice: once directly in check_for_legacy_methods() and again in the caller function nfsd4_client_tracking_init(). The second invocation triggers a BUG_ON() in nfsd4_init_recdir(), which is a kernel panic mechanism designed to catch critical errors. This double initialization can lead to kernel instability or crashes, potentially causing denial of service (DoS) conditions on affected systems. The vulnerability affects certain Linux kernel versions identified by the commit hash 74fd48739d0488e39ae18b0168720f449a06690c. The fix involves removing the redundant call to nfsd4_legacy_tracking_ops->init() in check_for_legacy_methods(), ensuring it is only invoked once in the proper context. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no CVSS score has been assigned yet. The vulnerability is technical and specific to the NFS server implementation in the Linux kernel, which is widely used in enterprise and cloud environments for network file sharing.

For European organizations, this vulnerability could have significant operational impacts, especially for those relying on Linux-based NFS servers for critical file sharing and storage services. Exploitation could lead to kernel crashes causing denial of service, disrupting access to shared resources and potentially impacting business continuity. Organizations in sectors such as finance, manufacturing, research, and public administration that utilize Linux servers for NFS may face service outages. While the vulnerability does not appear to allow privilege escalation or remote code execution directly, the resulting instability could be leveraged in multi-stage attacks or combined with other vulnerabilities. The lack of known exploits reduces immediate risk, but the widespread use of Linux in European data centers and cloud infrastructures means that unpatched systems remain vulnerable to accidental or malicious triggering of this bug. Additionally, the disruption caused by kernel panics could affect compliance with data availability and integrity requirements under regulations such as GDPR.

To mitigate this vulnerability, European organizations should prioritize updating their Linux kernel to the patched version that removes the redundant initialization call. Kernel updates should be tested in staging environments to ensure compatibility with existing NFS configurations. Administrators should audit their environments to identify all systems running vulnerable kernel versions, especially those acting as NFS servers. Implementing monitoring for kernel panics and unusual NFS server behavior can help detect attempts to trigger this vulnerability. Where immediate patching is not feasible, organizations can consider temporarily disabling legacy client tracking features if possible, or isolating vulnerable NFS servers behind strict network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure. Regular backups and disaster recovery plans should be reviewed and tested to minimize downtime in case of service disruption. Coordination with Linux distribution vendors for timely patch deployment and security advisories is also recommended.