Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This is a Linux kernel memory leak in the JFFS2 filesystem mount path. A local user with mount-related capability could trigger failed mount handling that leaves kernel memory allocated, potentially degrading availability. No source in the bundle shows active exploitation.
Executive priority
Treat as routine but time-bound kernel maintenance. Prioritize embedded or multi-user Linux systems where JFFS2 mounting is possible. This is not supported as an internet worm or data-theft issue by the supplied sources.
Technical view
CVE-2022-49381 is CWE-401 in JFFS2. When jffs2_iget() or d_make_root() fails inside jffs2_do_fill_super(), resources allocated by jffs2_sum_init() were not released. The fix calls jffs2_sum_exit() on those error paths. CVSS 3.1 is 5.5, local, low complexity, low privileges, availability impact high.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most relevant to Linux systems using or allowing mounting of JFFS2 filesystems, especially embedded, flash-storage, or appliance-style deployments. Internet-facing exposure is not indicated because the CVSS vector is local.
Exploitation context
The bundle does not cite public exploitation or KEV listing. Exploitation requires local access and low privileges according to the CVSS vector. The practical risk is availability degradation from leaked kernel memory during affected JFFS2 mount failure paths.
Researcher notes
The root cause is missing cleanup after jffs2_sum_init() allocation when later root inode or root dentry creation fails. Evidence is source-level and kernel-stable references only; no exploit proof, affected distributions, or operational workarounds are included in the bundle.
Mitigation direction
- Update to a vendor kernel containing the referenced stable JFFS2 fix.
- Check Linux distribution advisories for backported fixes before relying on version numbers alone.
- Limit untrusted users from mounting filesystems until patched.
- Review whether JFFS2 support is needed on affected systems.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Linux kernel versions and vendor backport status.
- Identify systems where JFFS2 is enabled or used operationally.
- Confirm the kernel includes the stable commit fixing jffs2_do_fill_super cleanup.
- Review monitoring for unusual memory pressure on systems handling JFFS2 mounts.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-401: Exact CWE lookup
Use the exact CWE identifier as the starting point before reviewing related ATT&CK behavior. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2022-49381 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Medium
- CVSS
- 5.5 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
SSVC decision data
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H1.83.6CISA-ADPVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
5.5MediumVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
Vulnerability timeline
Timeline events are normalized from CVE metadata, CNA source timelines, ADP timelines, and KEV metadata when present.
- CVE reservedCVE Program
The CVE ID was reserved by the assigning CNA.
- CVE publishedCVE Program
The CVE record was published.
- CVE updatedCVE Program
The CVE record metadata indicates this as the latest update time.
ADP provider summaries
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/4ba7bbeab8009faf3a726e565d98816593ddd5b0CVE reference, Linux
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/4da8763a3d2b684c773b72ed80fad40bc264bc40CVE reference, Linux
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/28048a4cf3813b7cf5cc8cce629dfdc7951cb1c2CVE reference, Linux
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/d3a4fff1e7e408c32649030daa7c2c42a7e19a95CVE reference, Linux
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/3252d327f977b14663a10967f3b0930d6c325687CVE reference, Linux
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/ecc53e58596542791e82eff00702f8af7a313f70CVE reference, Linux
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/cf9db013e167bc8fc2ecd7a13ed97a37df0c9dabCVE reference, Linux
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/69295267c481545f636b69ff341b8db75aa136b9CVE reference, Linux
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/c14adb1cf70a984ed081c67e9d27bc3caad9537cCVE reference, Linux
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Missing Release of Memory after Effective Lifetime
Missing Release of Memory after Effective Lifetime represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.