CVE-2022-49486 addresses a vulnerability in the Linux kernel related to the Advanced Sound Architecture (ASoC) subsystem, specifically within the Freescale (fsl) driver for the i.MX SGTL5000 audio codec. The issue arises from a reference count leak in the function imx_sgtl5000_probe. The function of_find_i2c_device_by_node() is used to obtain a reference to an I2C device node, incrementing its reference count. However, in certain error handling paths, the code fails to call put_device() to decrement the reference count appropriately. This omission leads to a reference count leak, which can cause resource leakage within the kernel. Over time, such leaks may degrade system stability or lead to exhaustion of kernel resources. While this vulnerability does not directly allow code execution or privilege escalation, it represents a reliability and resource management flaw within the kernel's device driver subsystem. The vulnerability affects Linux kernel versions identified by the commit hash 81e8e4926167ab32593bbb915b45a42024ca1020 and similar versions containing the faulty code. No known exploits are reported in the wild, and no CVSS score has been assigned. The fix involves ensuring that put_device() is called in all error paths to properly decrement the reference count and prevent leaks.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2022-49486 is primarily related to system stability and reliability rather than direct security compromise. Organizations running Linux-based systems with the affected kernel versions, particularly those utilizing the i.MX SGTL5000 audio codec driver in embedded or specialized hardware, may experience resource leaks that could degrade system performance or cause unexpected crashes over time. This could affect critical infrastructure or industrial control systems that rely on embedded Linux devices, potentially leading to downtime or increased maintenance costs. However, since the vulnerability does not enable privilege escalation, remote code execution, or data leakage, the confidentiality and integrity of data are not directly threatened. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk, but unpatched systems could accumulate resource exhaustion issues, especially in environments with long uptimes or limited system restarts. European organizations in sectors such as manufacturing, telecommunications, or automotive that deploy embedded Linux devices with this driver should be aware of potential stability issues.

To mitigate CVE-2022-49486, organizations should prioritize updating their Linux kernel to a version that includes the patch fixing the reference count leak in the imx_sgtl5000_probe function. This involves applying the latest stable kernel releases or vendor-provided patches that address this specific issue. For embedded systems where kernel upgrades may be complex, backporting the patch or recompiling the kernel with the fix applied is recommended. Additionally, organizations should implement monitoring for kernel resource usage, such as tracking reference counts and device allocations, to detect abnormal resource consumption early. Regular system reboots or device resets can temporarily alleviate resource leaks but are not a substitute for patching. Vendors supplying embedded Linux devices should be engaged to ensure timely firmware updates. Finally, maintaining an inventory of devices using the affected driver will help prioritize remediation efforts.