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CVE Record

CVE-2022-50061: pinctrl: nomadik: Fix refcount leak in nmk_pinctrl_dt_subnode_to_map

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: pinctrl: nomadik: Fix refcount leak in nmk_pinctrl_dt_subnode_to_map of_parse_phandle() returns a node pointer with refcount incremented, we should use of_node_put() on it when not need anymore. Add missing of_node_put() to avoid 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 CVE describes a Linux kernel reference-count leak in the Nomadik pinctrl driver. In practical terms, a kernel object reference is not released after parsing a device-tree phandle. The public record does not provide CVSS, confirmed impact, or active exploitation evidence, so urgency should be driven by affected-kernel inventory and vendor kernel advisories.

Executive priority

Handle through normal kernel maintenance unless asset inventory shows affected embedded or specialized Linux platforms. There is no source-backed evidence of active exploitation or critical severity, but unsupported kernels should be upgraded because vendor backport status is the real control point.

Technical view

The issue is in nmk_pinctrl_dt_subnode_to_map. of_parse_phandle() returns a device-tree node with an incremented refcount, but the vulnerable code did not call of_node_put() when finished. Kernel stable commits add the missing release to avoid the refcount leak.

Likely exposure

Exposure appears limited to Linux kernels containing the Nomadik pinctrl code in the affected ranges listed by the CVE record. Real-world exposure depends on kernel configuration, device-tree use, hardware platform, and distribution backports. The source bundle does not identify affected distributions or cloud images.

Exploitation context

The source bundle does not cite exploitation, proof-of-concept code, KEV listing, or attacker prerequisites. It only documents a resolved kernel refcount leak. Treat active exploitation as unproven unless a vendor or authoritative source later states otherwise.

Researcher notes

The public details support a memory-management correctness issue rather than a fully characterized exploit path. Key unanswered items are practical triggerability, privilege boundary impact, and distribution backport mapping. Do not infer exploitability beyond the documented missing of_node_put() fix.

Mitigation direction

  • Check distribution kernel advisories for CVE-2022-50061 coverage.
  • Update to a vendor kernel containing the referenced stable fix.
  • Prioritize systems using affected Linux kernels and Nomadik pinctrl support.
  • If patching is delayed, document vendor-supported compensating guidance only.
  • Avoid assuming generic server exposure without kernel configuration evidence.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory running kernel versions and vendor package build metadata.
  • Check whether the kernel includes the Nomadik pinctrl driver.
  • Compare vendor changelogs against the referenced stable commits.
  • Confirm CVE-2022-50061 is fixed through package advisory data.
  • Record any unsupported or end-of-life kernels for upgrade planning.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
10

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.

ATT&CK lookup starting points

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CVE-2022-50061 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
9Source 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
LinuxLinuxc2f6d059abfc29822af732e4da70813a5b6fd9cd, c2f6d059abfc29822af732e4da70813a5b6fd9cd, c2f6d059abfc29822af732e4da70813a5b6fd9cd, c2f6d059abfc29822af732e4da70813a5b6fd9cd, c2f6d059abfc29822af732e4da70813a5b6fd9cd, c2f6d059abfc29822af732e4da70813a5b6fd9cd, c2f6d059abfc29822af732e4da70813a5b6fd9cd, c2f6d059abfc29822af732e4da70813a5b6fd9cdunaffected
LinuxLinux3.18, 0, 4.9.326, 4.14.291, 4.19.256, 5.4.211, 5.10.138, 5.15.63, 5.19.4, 6.0affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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