CVE-2022-49057 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel's block device subsystem, specifically within the null_blk driver. The issue arises when a poll request times out: the request is removed from the poll list but is not properly completed. This leads to a resource leak where the request remains uncompleted indefinitely. The root cause is that the timeout handler fails to end the request properly, causing the request to be leaked and never finalized. This can result in resource exhaustion or degraded system performance due to accumulation of leaked requests. The vulnerability affects the Linux kernel versions identified by the commit hash 0a593fbbc245a85940ed34caa3aa1e4cb060c54b, indicating a specific code state rather than a broad version range. The fix involves modifying the timeout handler to ensure that the poll request is properly ended when a timeout occurs, preventing the leak. While no known exploits are reported in the wild, the vulnerability could be triggered by crafted I/O operations that cause poll requests to timeout, potentially leading to denial of service conditions or system instability. The vulnerability does not require authentication or user interaction, as it resides in kernel-level block device handling, which can be triggered by local or potentially remote processes depending on system configuration. No CVSS score has been assigned yet, and no patch links are provided in the data, but the issue is publicly disclosed and marked as published.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2022-49057 could be significant, especially for those relying heavily on Linux-based infrastructure for critical services such as cloud computing, data centers, and embedded systems. The resource leak caused by uncompleted poll requests can lead to degraded system performance, increased latency, or denial of service due to exhaustion of kernel resources. This can affect availability of services, potentially disrupting business operations, especially in sectors like finance, telecommunications, and public services where Linux servers are prevalent. Additionally, industrial control systems and IoT devices running Linux kernels with this vulnerability could experience instability or crashes, impacting operational technology environments. Although no active exploits are known, the vulnerability's presence in the kernel means that attackers with local access or the ability to induce specific I/O patterns could exploit it to cause service interruptions. This risk is heightened in multi-tenant cloud environments common in Europe, where resource exhaustion in one tenant's environment could impact others. The lack of a CVSS score and known exploits suggests the threat is currently theoretical but warrants proactive mitigation to maintain system reliability and security.

European organizations should prioritize updating their Linux kernel to versions where this vulnerability is fixed, ensuring the timeout handler properly completes poll requests. Since no direct patch links are provided, organizations should monitor official Linux kernel repositories and distributions for updates referencing CVE-2022-49057. In the interim, system administrators can implement monitoring for unusual kernel resource usage or poll request anomalies to detect potential exploitation attempts. Limiting access to systems running vulnerable kernels, especially restricting untrusted local users and sandboxing applications that perform block device operations, can reduce risk. For cloud providers and data centers, isolating workloads and applying resource quotas can mitigate impact from potential resource leaks. Additionally, reviewing and hardening I/O request handling and timeout configurations may help reduce the likelihood of triggering the vulnerability. Regular vulnerability scanning and kernel integrity checks should be part of ongoing security hygiene to detect and remediate this and similar kernel-level issues promptly.