CVE-2022-49105 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel, specifically within the staging driver for the wfx wireless device (wfx_init_common function). The issue arises from improper error handling where, upon encountering an error, the function returns without calling ieee80211_free_hw(hw), a cleanup function responsible for freeing allocated hardware resources. This omission leads to a memory leak, as allocated memory is not properly released during error conditions. The patch introduces a unified error handling label to ensure that ieee80211_free_hw(hw) is always called when an error occurs, preventing the leak. Although this vulnerability does not directly lead to code execution or privilege escalation, memory leaks can degrade system stability and performance over time, potentially leading to denial of service (DoS) conditions if exploited repeatedly or in resource-constrained environments. The vulnerability affects specific versions of the Linux kernel containing the affected wfx driver code, commonly used for wireless networking on certain embedded or IoT devices. There are no known exploits in the wild, and no CVSS score has been assigned yet.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2022-49105 is primarily related to system reliability and availability rather than direct compromise of confidentiality or integrity. Organizations relying on Linux-based systems with the affected wfx wireless driver—often embedded systems, IoT devices, or specialized wireless hardware—may experience gradual resource exhaustion due to memory leaks if the error condition is triggered frequently. This can lead to degraded network performance or device crashes, impacting operational continuity especially in environments where wireless connectivity is critical, such as manufacturing, healthcare, or transportation sectors. While the vulnerability does not currently have known exploits, failure to patch could expose organizations to potential future attacks that leverage the memory leak to cause denial of service or facilitate further exploitation. European entities with large deployments of Linux-based wireless devices should be aware of this risk, particularly those using custom or less common wireless drivers in their infrastructure.

To mitigate CVE-2022-49105, organizations should: 1) Apply the official Linux kernel patches that address the error handling in wfx_init_common(), ensuring ieee80211_free_hw(hw) is properly called on errors. 2) Audit and inventory Linux systems to identify those running affected kernel versions with the wfx driver enabled. 3) Where possible, disable or replace the wfx wireless driver if it is not required or if alternative drivers/hardware are available. 4) Monitor system logs and resource usage for signs of memory leaks or abnormal wireless driver behavior. 5) Implement robust update management processes to ensure timely deployment of kernel security patches, especially on embedded and IoT devices which may be harder to update. 6) Engage with hardware vendors for firmware updates or guidance if the wfx driver is part of vendor-supplied device software stacks.