CVE-2022-49619 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel related to the handling of memory allocation in the sfp_probe() function within the network subsystem. Specifically, the function sfp_probe() allocates memory using sfp_alloc(), but if the subsequent call to devm_add_action() fails, the allocated memory is not freed properly, resulting in a memory leak. The root cause is the use of devm_add_action() instead of devm_add_action_or_reset(), which would automatically free the allocated memory upon failure, preventing the leak. This vulnerability is a resource management flaw rather than a direct code execution or privilege escalation issue. Although memory leaks typically degrade system performance over time by exhausting available memory, they can also potentially be leveraged in denial-of-service (DoS) attacks if an attacker can repeatedly trigger the vulnerable code path. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of the Linux kernel, as indicated by the repeated commit hashes, but no specific kernel versions are detailed in the provided information. There are no known exploits in the wild at this time, and no CVSS score has been assigned. The vulnerability was published on February 26, 2025, and remains in the published state without further enrichment or patch links provided. The technical fix involves replacing devm_add_action() with devm_add_action_or_reset() to ensure proper cleanup of allocated memory on failure.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2022-49619 is primarily related to system stability and availability. Since the vulnerability causes a memory leak in the Linux kernel's network subsystem, affected systems may experience gradual memory exhaustion, leading to degraded performance or potential crashes if the leak is triggered repeatedly or under heavy network load. This can affect servers, network appliances, and embedded devices running vulnerable Linux kernel versions. While the vulnerability does not directly compromise confidentiality or integrity, the resulting denial-of-service conditions could disrupt critical services, particularly in sectors relying heavily on Linux-based infrastructure such as telecommunications, cloud service providers, financial institutions, and public sector organizations. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate risk, but the widespread use of Linux in Europe means that unpatched systems could be vulnerable to accidental or intentional triggering of the leak, especially in environments with high network activity or automated probing. The impact is more pronounced in environments where uptime and reliability are critical, such as data centers and industrial control systems.

To mitigate CVE-2022-49619, European organizations should prioritize updating their Linux kernel to a version where the vulnerability is patched, specifically one that replaces devm_add_action() with devm_add_action_or_reset() in the sfp_probe() function. System administrators should monitor kernel update announcements and apply security patches promptly. In environments where immediate patching is not feasible, organizations can implement monitoring for unusual memory usage patterns in network-related kernel modules and set up alerts for potential memory leaks. Additionally, restricting access to systems running vulnerable kernels and limiting exposure to untrusted network traffic can reduce the risk of triggering the leak. For critical infrastructure, consider deploying kernel live patching solutions that allow applying fixes without downtime. Finally, maintain robust incident response plans to quickly address any service degradation potentially caused by this vulnerability.