CVE-2022-49793 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel, specifically within the Industrial I/O (IIO) subsystem's trigger sysfs interface. The issue stems from improper memory management in the function iio_sysfs_trig_init(). The vulnerability arises because the dev_set_name() function allocates memory for device names but fails to free this memory if device_add() subsequently fails. This leads to a potential memory leak. The fix involves ensuring that put_device() is called to release the reference held by device_initialize() when device_add() fails, allowing the allocated memory to be properly freed during kobject_cleanup() once the reference count reaches zero. The vulnerability can be triggered by fault injection tests, as demonstrated by unreferenced object memory detected during kernel debugging. The root cause is a missing cleanup path for allocated memory in error conditions during device initialization in the kernel's IIO trigger sysfs code. This flaw does not appear to allow direct code execution or privilege escalation but can cause resource exhaustion due to memory leaks in kernel space. The vulnerability affects specific Linux kernel versions identified by commit hashes, and no known exploits are reported in the wild as of the publication date. No CVSS score has been assigned to this vulnerability yet.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2022-49793 primarily involves potential degradation of system stability and reliability rather than immediate security breaches such as data theft or privilege escalation. Systems running affected Linux kernel versions with Industrial I/O subsystems enabled could experience memory leaks leading to increased kernel memory consumption over time. This could result in performance degradation, system slowdowns, or in extreme cases, kernel panics or crashes, especially in environments with constrained resources or long uptimes. Critical infrastructure, industrial control systems, and embedded devices relying on Linux with IIO triggers may be particularly susceptible. While no direct exploitation for remote code execution or privilege escalation is indicated, persistent memory leaks in kernel space can be leveraged by attackers to facilitate denial-of-service conditions. European organizations with industrial automation, manufacturing, or IoT deployments using affected Linux kernels should be aware of this risk. The absence of known exploits reduces immediate threat but does not eliminate the need for remediation to maintain system integrity and availability.

To mitigate CVE-2022-49793, organizations should prioritize updating their Linux kernel to the latest patched versions where this memory leak has been fixed. Specifically, ensure that kernel versions include the fix for proper memory cleanup in iio_sysfs_trig_init(). For environments where immediate kernel upgrades are not feasible, consider disabling or unloading the Industrial I/O trigger sysfs interface if it is not required, reducing the attack surface. Implement kernel memory monitoring and alerting to detect abnormal memory consumption patterns that could indicate leaks. Conduct thorough testing of kernel updates in staging environments to prevent regressions. For embedded or industrial devices, coordinate with hardware vendors to obtain firmware or kernel patches addressing this issue. Additionally, maintain strict access controls and limit user permissions to reduce the risk of fault injection or triggering conditions that could exacerbate the leak. Regularly audit system logs and kernel debug outputs for signs of memory leaks or device initialization failures related to IIO triggers.