CVE-2022-49583 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel's iavf network driver, which is responsible for handling Intel Adaptive Virtual Function (AVF) devices. The issue arises from improper handling of dummy receive descriptors by the iavf driver. Specifically, when the hardware writes a dummy receive descriptor, the driver fails to free the memory page allocated for the previous receive buffer, causing a memory leak. The function iavf_get_rx_buffer did not set the rx_buffer return value correctly for dummy descriptors, leading to this resource mismanagement. Although the event of receiving dummy descriptors is considered unlikely, it can still occur, potentially leading to gradual memory exhaustion on affected systems. The vulnerability has been addressed by ensuring that the driver properly handles dummy receive descriptors and frees the associated memory pages, preventing the leak. This fix is critical for maintaining the stability and reliability of systems using the iavf driver in the Linux kernel. No known exploits are reported in the wild, and no CVSS score has been assigned yet.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2022-49583 primarily concerns system stability and availability. Systems running Linux kernels with the vulnerable iavf driver may experience memory leaks under specific network conditions involving dummy receive descriptors. Over time, this can lead to degraded performance or system crashes due to memory exhaustion, impacting critical infrastructure, data centers, and network appliances relying on Intel AVF devices. While this vulnerability does not directly compromise confidentiality or integrity, the denial of service caused by resource depletion can disrupt business operations, especially in sectors with high network throughput requirements such as telecommunications, finance, and cloud service providers. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk; however, the potential for exploitation in targeted attacks or under specific network loads remains. European organizations with large-scale Linux deployments using Intel AVF hardware should prioritize patching to maintain operational continuity.

To mitigate CVE-2022-49583, European organizations should: 1) Identify Linux systems utilizing the iavf driver, particularly those with Intel Adaptive Virtual Function network hardware. 2) Apply the latest Linux kernel updates or patches that include the fix for this vulnerability as soon as they become available, ensuring the iavf_get_rx_buffer function correctly handles dummy receive descriptors. 3) Monitor system memory usage and network driver logs for unusual patterns that could indicate memory leaks or abnormal network descriptor handling. 4) Implement proactive system resource monitoring and automated alerts to detect early signs of memory exhaustion. 5) Where possible, test kernel updates in staging environments to validate stability before production deployment. 6) Maintain up-to-date inventory of network hardware and driver versions to facilitate rapid response to similar vulnerabilities. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on hardware-specific driver management and proactive monitoring tailored to the nature of this vulnerability.