Linux Kernel up to 5.15.81/6.0.11 mdiobus of_node_get/of_node_put reference count

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5.5$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 5.15.81/6.0.11. It has been rated as critical. This issue affects the function of_node_get/of_node_put of the component mdiobus. The manipulation leads to reference count. This vulnerability is documented as CVE-2022-49016. There is not any exploit available. Upgrading the affected component is advised.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in Linux Kernel up to 5.15.81/6.0.11. This issue affects the function of_node_get/of_node_put of the component mdiobus. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a reference count vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-911. The product uses a reference count to manage a resource, but it does not update or incorrectly updates the reference count. Impacted is availability. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net: mdiobus: fix unbalanced node reference count I got the following report while doing device(mscc-miim) load test with CONFIG_OF_UNITTEST and CONFIG_OF_DYNAMIC enabled: OF: ERROR: memory leak, expected refcount 1 instead of 2, of_node_get()/of_node_put() unbalanced - destroy cset entry: attach overlay node /spi/soc@0/mdio@7107009c/ethernet-phy@0 If the 'fwnode' is not an acpi node, the refcount is get in fwnode_mdiobus_phy_device_register(), but it has never been put when the device is freed in the normal path. So call fwnode_handle_put() in phy_device_release() to avoid leak. If it's an acpi node, it has never been get, but it's put in the error path, so call fwnode_handle_get() before phy_device_register() to keep get/put operation balanced.

It is possible to read the advisory at git.kernel.org. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2022-49016 since 08/22/2024. Technical details of the vulnerability are known, but there is no available exploit.

Upgrading to version 5.15.82 or 6.0.12 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 543d917f691a/2708b3574404/cdde1560118f is able to eliminate this problem. The bugfix is ready for download at git.kernel.org. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2024-3251). Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

Affected

  • Google Container-Optimized OS
  • Debian Linux
  • Amazon Linux 2
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux
  • NetApp StorageGRID
  • Ubuntu Linux
  • SUSE Linux
  • Oracle Linux
  • Kyocera Printer
  • NetApp AFF
  • NetApp ActiveIQ Unified Manager
  • SUSE openSUSE
  • IBM Security Guardium
  • RESF Rocky Linux
  • Dell NetWorker
  • Dell Avamar
  • IBM QRadar SIEM
  • NetApp FAS
  • SolarWinds Security Event Manager
  • Dell PowerProtect Data Domain
  • Open Source Linux Kernel
  • Dell PowerScale OneFS

Productinfo

Type

Vendor

Name

Version

License

Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 5.6
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 5.5

VulDB Base Score: 5.7
VulDB Temp Score: 5.5
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 5.5
NVD Vector: 🔍

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Reference count
CWE: CWE-911 / CWE-664
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: Partially

Availability: 🔍
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍

Upgrade: Kernel 5.15.82/6.0.12
Patch: 543d917f691a/2708b3574404/cdde1560118f

Timelineinfo

08/22/2024 🔍
10/21/2024 +60 days 🔍
10/21/2024 +0 days 🔍
01/19/2026 +454 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2022-49016 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2022-49016
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-281351
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2024-3251 - Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen ermöglichen Denial of Service

Entryinfo

Created: 10/21/2024 23:01
Updated: 01/19/2026 00:51
Changes: 10/21/2024 23:01 (59), 10/24/2024 20:47 (11), 07/23/2025 00:21 (7), 10/05/2025 15:32 (1), 01/19/2026 00:51 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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