CVE-2022-49762 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel's NTFS file system driver, specifically within the function ntfs_attr_find() that iterates over ATTR_RECORD structures in the Master File Table (MFT) records. The vulnerability arises due to an integer overflow when calculating the end address of the current ATTR_RECORD during iteration. The kernel calculates the next ATTR_RECORD pointer by adding the length field of the current ATTR_RECORD to its base address. On 32-bit systems, this addition can overflow, causing the pointer to wrap around and potentially leading to an infinite loop during iteration. This flaw can cause the kernel to become stuck in a never-ending loop when processing NTFS attributes, resulting in a denial of service (DoS) condition. The patch addressing this vulnerability adds boundary checks to prevent the integer overflow when calculating the end address of ATTR_RECORDs, ensuring safe iteration over these structures. The vulnerability affects Linux kernel versions prior to the patch commit identified by the hash 1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2. No known exploits are reported in the wild as of the publication date. The issue primarily impacts 32-bit Linux systems using the NTFS driver, which is commonly used to access NTFS-formatted volumes, often external or dual-boot drives. While the vulnerability does not directly lead to privilege escalation or code execution, the infinite loop can cause system instability or denial of service when accessing maliciously crafted NTFS file system metadata.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2022-49762 is primarily related to system availability and stability. Organizations that rely on Linux systems, especially 32-bit architectures, and access NTFS-formatted drives (such as external storage devices, dual-boot configurations, or network shares) could experience kernel hangs or crashes if exposed to maliciously crafted NTFS metadata. This could disrupt business operations, particularly in environments where Linux servers or workstations interact with NTFS volumes for data exchange or backup. Although the vulnerability does not allow direct data compromise or privilege escalation, the denial of service could affect critical infrastructure, industrial control systems, or enterprise environments that use Linux extensively. The risk is higher in sectors with legacy 32-bit Linux deployments or where NTFS volumes are frequently mounted. Given the absence of known exploits, the threat is currently low but could increase if attackers develop reliable exploitation techniques. Organizations in Europe with mixed OS environments or those supporting legacy hardware should be particularly vigilant.

To mitigate CVE-2022-49762, European organizations should: 1) Apply the latest Linux kernel patches that address this vulnerability as soon as they become available, ensuring that the NTFS driver includes the overflow checks. 2) Audit and inventory Linux systems, identifying any 32-bit kernel deployments and prioritize patching on these systems. 3) Limit or monitor the mounting of NTFS volumes, especially those from untrusted sources, to reduce exposure to maliciously crafted NTFS metadata. 4) Implement kernel-level monitoring and alerting for unusual file system behavior or kernel hangs related to NTFS mounts. 5) Where possible, migrate legacy 32-bit Linux systems to 64-bit architectures, as the vulnerability primarily affects 32-bit pointer arithmetic. 6) Educate system administrators about the risks of mounting external NTFS drives and encourage scanning such media for integrity before use. 7) Employ sandboxing or containerization for processes that interact with external NTFS volumes to contain potential denial of service impacts.