CVE-2022-49453 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel, specifically within the TI (Texas Instruments) SCI (System Control Interface) power management domain driver code (ti_sci_pm_domains). The issue arises from the improper handling of memory allocation failures when using the devm_kcalloc function. This function is intended to allocate zero-initialized memory for device-managed resources. However, in this case, the code does not check whether devm_kcalloc returns a null pointer, which can occur if the allocation fails due to insufficient memory. If the null pointer is dereferenced later in the code, it leads to a null-pointer dereference vulnerability. This can cause the kernel to crash (kernel panic) or exhibit undefined behavior, potentially leading to a denial of service (DoS) condition. The recommended fix, as noted, is to check the return value of devm_kcalloc and return an -ENOMEM error code immediately if the allocation fails, preventing subsequent null-pointer dereference. This vulnerability is a classic example of improper error handling in kernel code, which can be exploited unintentionally by triggering memory exhaustion conditions. There are no known exploits in the wild at this time, and no CVSS score has been assigned yet. The affected versions are specific commits identified by their hashes, indicating this is a recent or narrowly scoped issue in the Linux kernel source code. The vulnerability does not require user interaction or authentication but depends on the kernel running the affected TI SCI power management driver code, which is typically present in embedded or specialized Linux systems using TI hardware platforms.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2022-49453 depends largely on their use of Linux systems running on Texas Instruments hardware that utilize the TI SCI power management domains driver. This is more common in embedded systems, industrial control systems, IoT devices, and specialized hardware platforms rather than general-purpose servers or desktops. If exploited, the vulnerability could cause kernel crashes leading to denial of service, which may disrupt critical operations, especially in industrial or infrastructure environments relying on embedded Linux devices. Confidentiality and integrity impacts are minimal since this is a null-pointer dereference causing availability issues rather than privilege escalation or data leakage. However, availability disruptions in critical systems such as manufacturing, energy, or transportation could have significant operational and safety consequences. Given the lack of known exploits and the requirement for specific hardware, the threat is currently low but should be monitored closely. Organizations using TI-based Linux embedded devices should prioritize patching to prevent potential DoS conditions that could affect service continuity.

1. Apply the official Linux kernel patches that address CVE-2022-49453 as soon as they become available from trusted sources or Linux distribution maintainers. 2. For embedded and IoT device manufacturers, integrate the patched kernel versions into firmware updates and distribute them to end users promptly. 3. Implement monitoring for kernel crashes or unusual reboots on devices running TI SCI power management drivers to detect potential exploitation attempts or memory exhaustion conditions. 4. Conduct an inventory of Linux systems using TI hardware platforms within the organization to identify potentially affected devices. 5. Where patching is not immediately feasible, consider isolating affected devices from critical networks or applying resource limits to reduce the likelihood of memory exhaustion. 6. Engage with hardware and software vendors to confirm the presence of this vulnerability and obtain guidance on mitigation and updates. 7. Incorporate this vulnerability into incident response and risk management processes to ensure rapid action if exploitation is detected.