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CVE Record

CVE-2022-49431: powerpc/iommu: Add missing of_node_put in iommu_init_early_dart

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: powerpc/iommu: Add missing of_node_put in iommu_init_early_dart The device_node pointer is returned by of_find_compatible_node with refcount incremented. We should use of_node_put() to avoid the refcount leak.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysisunknown

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This Linux kernel issue is a missing cleanup call in PowerPC IOMMU initialization. It can leak an internal device-tree reference count. The public record does not describe data theft, privilege escalation, remote attack, or service outage behavior.

Executive priority

Treat as a low-immediacy tracking item unless you operate affected PowerPC Linux systems. The business risk is unclear from public data, and no exploitation evidence is provided.

Technical view

iommu_init_early_dart calls of_find_compatible_node, which increments a device_node reference count. The vulnerable code failed to call of_node_put, creating a refcount leak. The fix adds the missing release in Linux stable commits.

Likely exposure

Exposure appears limited to Linux kernels using the affected PowerPC DART IOMMU code path. The CVE record lists Linux as affected and provides kernel stable commit references, but distro package mapping is not included.

Exploitation context

No active exploitation is supported by the provided sources. The CVE is not marked KEV, and the bundle provides no exploit reports, exploitability analysis, or attacker-controlled trigger details.

Researcher notes

The available evidence supports a kernel refcount leak fix, not a broader impact claim. Confirm reachability through PowerPC device-tree and DART IOMMU initialization paths before assigning operational severity.

Mitigation direction

  • Apply Linux kernel updates that include the referenced stable fixes.
  • Check distribution advisories for package-specific fixed kernel versions.
  • Prioritize PowerPC systems using DART IOMMU-related kernel paths.
  • Track vendor guidance if running custom or long-term kernels.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Linux hosts by architecture and kernel version.
  • Confirm whether PowerPC systems run affected kernel branches.
  • Verify deployed kernels include one of the referenced fixes.
  • Review vendor advisories for backported patch identifiers.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
8

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

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CVE-2022-49431 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Unknown
CVSS
Not scored
Known Exploited
No
Published
Official CVE source material

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.

0CVSS vectors
3Timeline events
0ADP providers
7Source links

Vulnerability timeline

Timeline events are normalized from CVE metadata, CNA source timelines, ADP timelines, and KEV metadata when present.

  1. CVE reservedCVE Program

    The CVE ID was reserved by the assigning CNA.

  2. CVE publishedCVE Program

    The CVE record was published.

  3. CVE updatedCVE Program

    The CVE record metadata indicates this as the latest update time.

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinux1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2, 1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2, 1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2, 1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2, 1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2, 1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2unaffected
LinuxLinux2.6.12, 0, 5.4.198, 5.10.121, 5.15.46, 5.17.14, 5.18.3, 5.19affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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