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CVE Record

CVE-2022-49437: powerpc/xive: Fix refcount leak in xive_spapr_init

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: powerpc/xive: Fix refcount leak in xive_spapr_init of_find_compatible_node() returns a node pointer with refcount incremented, we should use of_node_put() on it when done. Add missing of_node_put() to avoid refcount leak.

MediumCVSS 5.5Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This is a Linux kernel availability issue in the PowerPC XIVE code path. A local authenticated user could contribute to a kernel resource leak that may affect system stability or availability. It does not indicate data theft or integrity impact in the supplied scoring.

Executive priority

Treat as a targeted medium-priority availability risk. Patch during normal kernel maintenance unless affected PowerPC Linux systems host shared users or critical services, where earlier remediation is justified.

Technical view

The issue is a missing of_node_put() after of_find_compatible_node() increments a device-tree node reference in xive_spapr_init. The CVSS vector is local, low complexity, low privileges, no user interaction, and high availability impact.

Likely exposure

Exposure appears limited to affected Linux kernels using the powerpc/xive path. Organizations without Linux on relevant PowerPC platforms are unlikely to be exposed. The source bundle lists Linux 4.14 through 5.19-related affected version data but lacks distro package details.

Exploitation context

The source bundle does not cite active exploitation, KEV listing, public exploit code, or weaponized use. The CVSS vector requires local access with low privileges, so remote unauthenticated exposure is not supported by the provided evidence.

Researcher notes

Evidence supports a refcount leak caused by missing of_node_put() in powerpc/xive initialization. No CWE, exploit narrative, affected CPEs, or distro-specific fixed versions are provided. Avoid broad exposure claims beyond affected Linux PowerPC/XIVE contexts.

Mitigation direction

  • Apply a vendor kernel update that includes the referenced stable fixes.
  • Check Linux distribution advisories for backported patches and package names.
  • Prioritize shared PowerPC Linux systems with untrusted local users.
  • Limit local shell access on affected systems until patched.
  • Monitor affected hosts for availability degradation or unusual kernel instability.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Linux systems running on PowerPC platforms.
  • Compare running kernel packages against vendor advisories or fixed stable commits.
  • Confirm whether the xive_spapr_init code path is present in deployed kernels.
  • Verify patch status through distro changelogs, not only upstream version numbers.
  • Record systems as not exposed if they do not run relevant PowerPC Linux kernels.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
6

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

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.

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CVE-2022-49437 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
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

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.

1CVSS vectors
3Timeline events
1ADP providers
5Source links

SSVC decision data

CISA-ADPCISA Coordinator
Timestamp
Version
2.0.3
Exploitation: noneAutomatable: noTechnical Impact: partial

CVSS vector scores

1 official score

We 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.

ScoreVersionSeverityVectorExploitImpactSource
5.5CVSS 3.1MediumCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H1.83.6CISA-ADP

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

5.5Medium
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2022-49437Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

Attack Vector
NetworkAdjacentLocalPhysical
Attack Complexity
LowHigh
Privileges Required
NoneLowHigh
User Interaction
NoneRequired
Scope
ChangedUnchanged
Confidentiality Impact
HighLowNone
Integrity Impact
HighLowNone
Availability Impact
HighLowNone

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.

ADP provider summaries

CISA-ADPCISA ADP Vulnrichment
cvssV3_1other:ssvc

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinuxeac1e731b59ee3b5f5e641a7765c7ed41ed26226, eac1e731b59ee3b5f5e641a7765c7ed41ed26226, eac1e731b59ee3b5f5e641a7765c7ed41ed26226, eac1e731b59ee3b5f5e641a7765c7ed41ed26226unaffected
LinuxLinux4.14, 0, 5.15.46, 5.17.14, 5.18.3, 5.19affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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