CVE-2022-49274 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel specifically affecting the OCFS2 (Oracle Cluster File System version 2) filesystem implementation. The issue arises when mounting an OCFS2 filesystem with quota support enabled. The vulnerability is caused by improper initialization of certain quota-related data structures during the mount operation. Specifically, the dqi_gqlock (a lock structure used for quota information) is initialized without properly setting the associated dqi_type and dqi_sb fields. This improper initialization leads to a kernel crash (panic) during the mount process. The crash occurs in the function ocfs2_qinfo_lock_res_init, which is called as part of the quota enabling sequence within the OCFS2 mount routine. The root cause was introduced by a prior commit (6c85c2c72819) intended to avoid accessing uninitialized variables in error cases, but inadvertently caused global quota info to be improperly initialized. The vulnerability results in a denial of service (DoS) condition by crashing the kernel when an attacker or user mounts an OCFS2 filesystem with quotas enabled. There are no known exploits in the wild at this time, and no CVSS score has been assigned. The vulnerability affects Linux kernel versions containing the problematic commit. The issue is resolved by ensuring proper initialization of global quota information during the mount process. This vulnerability does not appear to allow privilege escalation or arbitrary code execution but can cause system instability and service disruption due to kernel crashes.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2022-49274 is the potential for denial of service through kernel crashes on systems using the OCFS2 filesystem with quota support enabled. OCFS2 is typically used in clustered environments and enterprise storage solutions, often in database clusters or high-availability setups. Organizations relying on Linux servers with OCFS2 and quota enabled could experience unexpected downtime, impacting critical services and data availability. This could disrupt business operations, especially in sectors like finance, telecommunications, and public services where high availability is essential. Although the vulnerability does not directly compromise confidentiality or integrity, repeated crashes could lead to data corruption or loss if not properly managed. The lack of known exploits reduces immediate risk, but unpatched systems remain vulnerable to accidental or malicious triggering of the crash. European organizations with large-scale Linux deployments, particularly those using clustered file systems for shared storage, should be aware of this risk and prioritize patching to maintain operational stability.

1. Apply the latest Linux kernel updates that include the fix for CVE-2022-49274. Ensure that kernel versions are updated to those released after the fix commit to prevent the crash. 2. Audit systems to identify any usage of OCFS2 filesystems with quota enabled. If OCFS2 is not in use, consider disabling or removing support to reduce attack surface. 3. For systems requiring OCFS2 with quotas, test kernel updates in staging environments to verify stability before production deployment. 4. Implement monitoring to detect kernel crashes or unusual mount operations involving OCFS2 filesystems, enabling rapid response to potential exploitation attempts. 5. Review and harden mount operation permissions to restrict which users or processes can mount filesystems with quota enabled, minimizing risk of accidental or malicious triggering. 6. Maintain regular backups and disaster recovery plans to mitigate potential data loss or corruption resulting from unexpected crashes. 7. Engage with Linux distribution vendors for security advisories and patches related to OCFS2 and quota management to stay informed of any further developments.