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CVE Record

CVE-2022-49896: cxl/pmem: Fix cxl_pmem_region and cxl_memdev leak

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: cxl/pmem: Fix cxl_pmem_region and cxl_memdev leak When a cxl_nvdimm object goes through a ->remove() event (device physically removed, nvdimm-bridge disabled, or nvdimm device disabled), then any associated regions must also be disabled. As highlighted by the cxl-create-region.sh test [1], a single device may host multiple regions, but the driver was only tracking one region at a time. This leads to a situation where only the last enabled region per nvdimm device is cleaned up properly. Other regions are leaked, and this also causes cxl_memdev reference leaks. Fix the tracking by allowing cxl_nvdimm objects to track multiple region associations.

MediumCVSS 5.5Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's Takemoderate

Analyst readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This Linux kernel issue can leave CXL persistent-memory regions and device references behind after a device removal or disable event. The practical concern is availability: leaked resources may accumulate and disrupt systems using this hardware path.

Executive priority

Treat this as a targeted infrastructure reliability issue, not a broad internet-facing emergency. Patch affected Linux systems during normal vulnerability maintenance, with higher priority for platforms using CXL persistent memory.

Technical view

The CXL pmem driver tracked only one region per cxl_nvdimm device. When a device had multiple regions, removal cleanup handled only the last enabled region, leaking other cxl_pmem_region objects and cxl_memdev references. The CVSS vector indicates local, low-privilege, no-user-interaction availability impact.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most likely on Linux systems running affected kernel versions listed in the CVE and using CXL persistent memory or NVDIMM-related functionality. General Linux hosts without this hardware or driver path appear less likely to be practically exposed.

Exploitation context

The source bundle does not show active exploitation, and KEV is false. The vulnerability is local according to the CVSS vector. Public sources provided describe the bug and fix, not an exploit campaign or weaponized technique.

Researcher notes

Evidence is limited to the CVE text and Linux stable commit references. The record names affected Linux versions and describes the cleanup leak, but it does not provide exploit evidence, distribution package mapping, or broader mitigation details.

Mitigation direction

  • Apply Linux kernel updates that include the referenced stable fixes.
  • Prioritize hosts using CXL persistent memory or NVDIMM functionality.
  • If updates are unavailable, follow distribution or kernel vendor guidance for CXL/pmem risk reduction.
  • Monitor vendor advisories mapping this CVE to packaged kernel versions.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Linux kernel versions on systems with CXL or NVDIMM hardware.
  • Confirm whether CXL pmem functionality is enabled or in use.
  • Check vendor kernel changelogs for CVE-2022-49896 or the referenced fix commits.
  • Review availability monitoring for resource leaks around CXL device removal or disable events.
Prepared
Confidence
high
Sources
4

Public sources used

Based on public source material and reviewed before publication.

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.

ATT&CK lookup starting points

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CVE-2022-49896 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
3Source 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-2022-49896Attack 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
LinuxLinux04ad63f086d1a9649b8b082748cbc7a570ade461, 04ad63f086d1a9649b8b082748cbc7a570ade461unaffected
LinuxLinux6.0, 0, 6.0.8, 6.1affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.