CVE-2022-48907 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel specifically related to the auxdisplay subsystem's lcd2s driver. The issue stems from a memory leak in the driver's remove() function, where the allocated memory for the struct lcd2s_data is never freed. This occurs because the allocation was done without using the device-managed memory allocation function devm_kzalloc(), which automatically frees memory when the device is detached or the driver is unloaded. The fix involves switching the allocation method to devm_kzalloc(), ensuring proper cleanup and preventing the memory leak. While this vulnerability does not directly lead to code execution or privilege escalation, the memory leak can cause gradual resource exhaustion on affected systems, potentially leading to degraded system performance or denial of service over time if the driver is repeatedly loaded and unloaded or if the device is frequently removed. The vulnerability affects Linux kernel versions containing the specified commit hash 8c9108d014c5bd0f0da2e3544eb45dc56a6da92b and was published on August 22, 2024. There are no known exploits in the wild at this time, and no CVSS score has been assigned. The vulnerability is limited to systems using the lcd2s auxdisplay driver, which is a relatively niche component, typically used in embedded or specialized Linux environments with LCD auxiliary displays.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2022-48907 is generally low to moderate depending on the deployment context. Organizations running Linux on embedded devices or specialized hardware that utilize the auxdisplay lcd2s driver could experience memory leaks leading to resource exhaustion and potential denial of service conditions. This could affect availability of critical systems if the device is integral to operations, such as industrial control systems, digital signage, or other embedded applications common in manufacturing, transportation, or public infrastructure. However, for typical enterprise Linux server or desktop environments, this vulnerability is unlikely to have any impact as the lcd2s driver is not commonly used. The absence of known exploits and the nature of the vulnerability (memory leak rather than remote code execution) reduce the immediate threat level. Nonetheless, organizations with embedded Linux devices should assess their exposure and patch accordingly to maintain system stability and reliability.

To mitigate CVE-2022-48907, organizations should: 1) Identify any Linux systems running kernels with the affected lcd2s auxdisplay driver, particularly embedded or specialized devices. 2) Apply the official Linux kernel patches or upgrade to a kernel version that includes the fix switching to devm_kzalloc() for memory allocation in the lcd2s driver. 3) Monitor system logs and resource usage on devices using this driver to detect abnormal memory consumption patterns that could indicate the leak is impacting system stability. 4) For embedded devices where kernel upgrades are challenging, consider workarounds such as limiting device removal/reload cycles or isolating affected devices to minimize impact. 5) Incorporate this vulnerability into vulnerability management and patching workflows to ensure timely remediation. 6) Engage with device vendors for firmware or kernel updates if the devices are third-party embedded systems.