CVE-2022-49185 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel specifically related to the pinctrl subsystem for the Nomadik platform. The issue arises from a missing call to of_node_put() in the nmk_pinctrl_probe function. In the Linux device tree parsing mechanism, of_parse_phandle() returns a node pointer with its reference count incremented to manage the lifecycle of device tree nodes properly. The missing of_node_put() call means that the reference count is not decremented after use, leading to a reference count leak. While this is primarily a resource management bug, it can cause a gradual increase in kernel memory usage, potentially leading to resource exhaustion over time. This could degrade system stability or cause denial of service (DoS) conditions if exploited in a targeted manner. The vulnerability does not appear to allow direct code execution or privilege escalation. It affects specific versions of the Linux kernel that include the Nomadik pinctrl driver with the described bug. There are no known exploits in the wild, and no CVSS score has been assigned yet. The fix involves adding the missing of_node_put() call to properly decrement the reference count and prevent the leak. This vulnerability is subtle and relates to kernel resource management rather than a direct security bypass or compromise vector.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2022-49185 is primarily related to system stability and availability rather than confidentiality or integrity. Organizations running Linux systems with the affected Nomadik pinctrl driver could experience kernel memory leaks leading to degraded performance or potential denial of service if the leak accumulates over time. This is particularly relevant for embedded systems or specialized hardware platforms using the Nomadik SoC or similar configurations where this driver is present. In enterprise server or desktop environments, the impact is likely minimal since Nomadik is a niche platform. However, critical infrastructure or industrial control systems in Europe that rely on embedded Linux devices with this driver could face operational disruptions. Since there are no known exploits and the vulnerability requires specific kernel configurations, the immediate risk is low. Nonetheless, unpatched systems could be vulnerable to stability issues that might be leveraged in targeted attacks aiming to disrupt services.

To mitigate this vulnerability, European organizations should: 1) Identify Linux systems using the Nomadik pinctrl driver, especially embedded or specialized devices. 2) Apply the official Linux kernel patches that add the missing of_node_put() call to the nmk_pinctrl_probe function as soon as they become available. 3) For systems where patching the kernel is not immediately feasible, monitor system logs and kernel memory usage for signs of resource leaks or instability. 4) Implement proactive system restarts or resource management policies to mitigate potential memory exhaustion. 5) Engage with hardware and software vendors to confirm whether their products include the affected driver and request timely updates. 6) Maintain robust incident response plans to detect and respond to potential denial of service conditions. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on identifying affected niche platforms and emphasizing resource monitoring and vendor coordination.