CVE-2022-50203 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 06/18/2025
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
ARM: OMAP2+: display: Fix refcount leak bug
In omapdss_init_fbdev(), of_find_node_by_name() will return a node pointer with refcount incremented. We should use of_node_put() when it is not used anymore.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/01/2025
The vulnerability CVE-2022-50203 represents a memory management issue within the Linux kernel's OMAP2+ display subsystem, specifically affecting ARM-based embedded systems. This flaw manifests as a reference count leak in the omapdss_init_fbdev() function, which operates within the framebuffer device initialization path of the OMAP display subsystem. The issue occurs when the function utilizes of_find_node_by_name() to locate device tree nodes, a standard kernel API call for traversing the device tree structure to find specific node references.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper resource management practices within the kernel's device tree node handling code. When of_find_node_by_name() is invoked, it returns a reference to a device tree node with an incremented reference count, indicating that the caller has acquired a reference to the node. However, the code fails to properly decrement this reference count through the of_node_put() function when the node reference is no longer needed. This creates a scenario where device tree nodes remain referenced indefinitely, preventing proper memory cleanup and leading to resource exhaustion over time.
This memory leak vulnerability impacts the operational stability of embedded ARM systems running the Linux kernel, particularly those utilizing OMAP2+ graphics hardware. The continuous accumulation of unreleased reference counts can gradually consume system memory resources, potentially leading to system instability, reduced performance, or complete system crashes under sustained load conditions. The vulnerability affects devices that rely on the OMAP display subsystem for framebuffer operations, which are common in embedded systems, industrial equipment, and mobile devices. According to CWE classification, this represents a CWE-404: Improper Resource Management, specifically involving improper handling of reference counting mechanisms.
The operational impact extends beyond simple memory consumption issues, as this vulnerability can affect system reliability in embedded environments where memory resources are constrained. Attackers could potentially exploit this resource leak to cause denial of service conditions, particularly in systems where the display subsystem is heavily utilized. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1490: Inhibit System Recovery, as sustained memory leaks can lead to system instability and forced reboots. Systems using the affected kernel versions may experience progressive degradation in performance as the leak accumulates, making this particularly problematic in long-running embedded applications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-50203 involve applying the kernel patch that correctly implements the of_node_put() function call to properly release device tree node references after use. System administrators should update their embedded Linux systems to kernel versions containing this fix, typically found in kernel releases 5.19 and later. The patch ensures that every reference acquired through of_find_node_by_name() is properly released through corresponding of_node_put() calls, maintaining proper reference counting semantics. Additionally, monitoring systems for memory usage patterns can help detect potential exploitation attempts, though the primary defense remains the kernel update. Organizations running embedded systems should conduct thorough testing of kernel updates to ensure compatibility with their specific hardware configurations and applications.