CVE-2022-49729 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel's NFC (Near Field Communication) driver for Marvell chipsets (nfcmrvl). The issue stems from improper memory management related to USB Request Blocks (URBs) used for deferred transmission (tx) operations. Specifically, the vulnerability arises because the function usb_submit_urb is called directly to submit deferred tx URBs after they are unanchored, bypassing the usb_giveback_urb_bh callback that normally handles reference counting and cleanup. This results in a memory leak as the URBs are not properly unreferenced and freed. The patch addresses this by placing the URBs in a tx_anchor structure before submission, ensuring that the usb_giveback_urb_bh callback can correctly unreference and free the URBs, thereby preventing the leak. This fix aligns with a similar prior patch for Bluetooth USB drivers that resolved a comparable memory leak issue. The vulnerability affects specific Linux kernel versions identified by the commit hash 1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2. There are no known exploits in the wild at the time of publication, and no CVSS score has been assigned yet. The flaw is primarily a resource management bug rather than a direct code execution or privilege escalation vulnerability.

For European organizations, the impact of this vulnerability is primarily related to system stability and resource exhaustion rather than immediate security breaches like data theft or system takeover. Systems running Linux kernels with the affected nfcmrvl NFC driver could experience gradual memory leaks when handling NFC communications, potentially leading to degraded performance or crashes over time, especially in environments with heavy NFC usage. This could affect embedded devices, IoT systems, or industrial control systems that rely on NFC for operations. While the vulnerability does not directly compromise confidentiality or integrity, the resulting denial of service due to memory exhaustion could disrupt critical services. Organizations with NFC-enabled Linux devices in sectors such as manufacturing, transportation, or healthcare may face operational risks. Additionally, memory leaks can sometimes be leveraged as part of more complex attack chains, so timely patching is advisable to maintain system robustness.

European organizations should prioritize updating their Linux kernel to versions that include the patch fixing CVE-2022-49729. Specifically, kernel maintainers and system administrators should apply the patch that introduces the tx_anchor mechanism for deferred URB submissions in the nfcmrvl driver. For systems where immediate patching is not feasible, monitoring system memory usage related to NFC operations can help detect abnormal leaks early. Disabling NFC functionality on devices where it is not required can reduce exposure. Additionally, organizations should audit their device inventory to identify Linux systems using Marvell NFC chipsets and ensure these are updated promptly. Incorporating this fix into custom kernel builds and embedded device firmware updates is critical. Finally, maintaining robust system monitoring and alerting for memory leaks or unusual resource consumption will help mitigate potential operational impacts.