CVE-2022-49241 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel specifically within the ALSA System on Chip (ASoC) driver for Atmel sam9x5 platforms using the WM8731 audio codec driver. The issue arises from improper error handling in the sam9x5_wm8731_driver_probe function. The function of_parse_phandle() returns a device_node pointer with an incremented reference count, which must be decremented by calling of_node_put() once the pointer is no longer needed. However, in the error path of the probe function, of_node_put() is not called, resulting in a reference count leak. This leak can lead to resource exhaustion over time as the kernel accumulates unreleased references, potentially causing system instability or crashes. The vulnerability does not appear to allow direct code execution or privilege escalation but can degrade system reliability. The flaw has been addressed by ensuring that of_node_put() is called in all code paths, including error handling, to properly manage the reference count and prevent leaks. The affected versions are specific Linux kernel commits identified by their hashes, indicating that this is a recent and targeted fix. There are no known exploits in the wild, and no CVSS score has been assigned yet.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2022-49241 is primarily related to system stability and reliability rather than direct compromise of confidentiality or integrity. Systems running Linux kernels with the affected ASoC Atmel sam9x5 WM8731 driver could experience resource leaks leading to kernel memory exhaustion, which may cause audio subsystem failures or broader kernel crashes. This could disrupt services relying on embedded Linux devices or specialized hardware using this driver, such as industrial control systems, telecommunications equipment, or IoT devices prevalent in manufacturing and critical infrastructure sectors. While the vulnerability does not enable remote code execution or privilege escalation, the resulting denial of service or system instability could impact operational continuity. European organizations with embedded Linux deployments or those using Atmel sam9x5 platforms in their hardware stacks should be aware of this issue to avoid unexpected downtime or degraded performance.

To mitigate CVE-2022-49241, organizations should: 1) Apply the official Linux kernel patches that fix the reference count leak in the sam9x5_wm8731_driver_probe function as soon as they become available from trusted Linux kernel maintainers or distribution vendors. 2) For embedded device manufacturers, rebuild and redeploy updated kernel images incorporating the fix to all affected devices in the field. 3) Implement monitoring for kernel memory usage and system logs to detect early signs of resource leaks or instability related to the audio subsystem. 4) Conduct thorough testing of updated kernels in staging environments to ensure stability before production rollout. 5) Where possible, isolate critical embedded systems from untrusted networks to reduce the risk of exploitation attempts, even though no known exploits currently exist. 6) Maintain an inventory of devices using the Atmel sam9x5 WM8731 driver to prioritize patching efforts. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on the specific driver and subsystem involved, emphasizing proactive patch management and operational monitoring tailored to embedded Linux environments.