CVE-2022-49514 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel specifically related to the ALSA System on Chip (ASoC) subsystem for Mediatek hardware, particularly the mt8173_max98090 audio codec driver. The issue arises from improper error handling in the device probe function (mt8173_max98090_dev_probe). During the initialization of the platform device, if an error occurs, the code fails to properly decrement the reference count of the device tree node by not calling of_node_put(platform_node). This leads to a reference count leak, which is a resource management flaw. While this vulnerability does not directly allow code execution or privilege escalation, the leak of kernel object references can degrade system stability and potentially lead to denial of service (DoS) conditions due to resource exhaustion over time. The fix involves adding the missing call to of_node_put in the error path to correctly release the device node reference, thereby preventing the leak. The vulnerability affects Linux kernel versions containing the specified commit hash 94319ba10ecabc8f28129566d1f5793e3e7a0a79 and similar builds. There are no known exploits in the wild, and no CVSS score has been assigned yet. The vulnerability is primarily a robustness and resource management issue within a specific hardware driver rather than a direct security compromise vector.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2022-49514 is relatively limited but still relevant in environments using Linux systems with Mediatek mt8173-based hardware, such as embedded devices, IoT systems, or specialized industrial equipment. The vulnerability could lead to gradual resource leaks causing system instability or crashes, potentially disrupting critical services or operations relying on affected devices. While it does not directly expose confidentiality or integrity risks, availability could be impacted if the leak accumulates and causes kernel resource exhaustion. Organizations deploying Linux in embedded or edge computing scenarios with Mediatek audio codecs should be aware of this issue. The risk is lower for typical enterprise Linux server or desktop deployments unless they incorporate the affected hardware. However, any disruption in embedded systems used in manufacturing, telecommunications, or critical infrastructure could have cascading effects. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate threat urgency, but the vulnerability should be addressed to maintain system reliability and prevent potential denial of service conditions.

Mitigation requires updating the Linux kernel to a version where the patch fixing the reference count leak in the mt8173_max98090_dev_probe function has been applied. Organizations should: 1) Identify systems using Mediatek mt8173 audio codec hardware or similar ASoC drivers. 2) Track Linux kernel updates from trusted sources and apply patches or kernel upgrades that include the fix for CVE-2022-49514. 3) For embedded or custom Linux distributions, rebuild kernels incorporating the fix. 4) Monitor system logs and kernel messages for signs of resource leaks or instability related to audio subsystem initialization. 5) Implement rigorous testing of kernel updates in staging environments before production deployment to avoid regressions. 6) If immediate patching is not feasible, consider temporary workarounds such as disabling the affected audio driver if it is not critical to operations, to prevent the leak from occurring. 7) Maintain good inventory and asset management to identify affected devices quickly. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on hardware-specific identification, kernel patch management, and operational testing tailored to embedded Linux environments.