CVE-2022-49242 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel, specifically within the ASoC (ALSA System on Chip) mxs driver, which handles audio codec probing for the SGTL5000 codec. The issue arises in the error handling logic of the function mxs_sgtl5000_probe. In normal execution, the function calls of_node_put() to decrement the reference count of device tree nodes, ensuring proper resource management. However, in error paths—such as when the codec_np pointer is NULL but saif_np[0] and saif_np[1] are not NULL—the function fails to call of_node_put() for these nodes, leading to a reference count leak. This leak means that the kernel holds onto references to device tree nodes longer than necessary, potentially causing resource exhaustion or memory leaks over time. The fix involves calling of_node_put() unconditionally on these pointers, as of_node_put() safely handles NULL pointers internally. While this vulnerability does not appear to allow direct code execution or privilege escalation, it represents a resource management flaw that could degrade system stability or reliability if triggered repeatedly or under specific conditions. The vulnerability affects Linux kernel versions identified by the commit hash e968194b45c4e8077dada75c5bae5660b37628fe and is documented as published on February 26, 2025. There are no known exploits in the wild, and no CVSS score has been assigned to date.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2022-49242 is primarily related to system stability and reliability rather than direct security breaches. Systems running affected Linux kernel versions with the ASoC mxs driver enabled—commonly found in embedded devices, industrial control systems, or specialized audio hardware—may experience memory leaks that could lead to degraded performance or eventual system crashes if the error conditions are frequently encountered. This could disrupt critical operations, especially in sectors relying on embedded Linux devices such as manufacturing, telecommunications, or automotive industries prevalent in Europe. While the vulnerability does not facilitate unauthorized access or data compromise, the potential for denial of service through resource exhaustion could affect availability of services. Given the widespread use of Linux in European IT infrastructure, particularly in servers and embedded systems, organizations should assess their exposure based on device usage. The lack of known exploits reduces immediate risk, but the presence of a kernel-level resource leak warrants timely remediation to maintain operational integrity.

To mitigate CVE-2022-49242, European organizations should: 1) Identify and inventory all systems running affected Linux kernel versions with the ASoC mxs driver enabled, focusing on embedded and specialized audio hardware. 2) Apply the official Linux kernel patches or updates that address this vulnerability as soon as they become available, ensuring that the mxs_sgtl5000_probe function correctly handles reference counting in all code paths. 3) For systems where immediate patching is not feasible, implement monitoring to detect abnormal memory usage or resource leaks that could indicate exploitation of this flaw. 4) Conduct thorough testing of updated kernels in controlled environments to verify stability and compatibility before widespread deployment. 5) Engage with hardware vendors or Linux distribution maintainers to confirm that patched kernel versions are integrated into supported releases. 6) Consider isolating or limiting access to affected embedded devices to reduce the risk of triggering error conditions that lead to resource leaks. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on the specific driver and error handling context of the vulnerability.