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CVE Record

CVE-2022-50161: mtd: maps: Fix refcount leak in of_flash_probe_versatile

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: mtd: maps: Fix refcount leak in of_flash_probe_versatile of_find_matching_node_and_match() 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

CVE-2022-50161 is a Linux kernel resource-management bug in MTD flash map probing. The code increments a device-tree node reference and fails to release it. The public data does not provide CVSS, impact severity, or exploitation evidence, so urgency depends on whether affected kernels and this hardware path are present.

Executive priority

Track and remediate through normal kernel maintenance unless asset inventory shows exposed embedded systems or vendor advisories raise severity. There is no supplied evidence supporting emergency response.

Technical view

The resolved issue is a missing of_node_put() after of_find_matching_node_and_match() in of_flash_probe_versatile. That causes a device-tree node refcount leak. The source bundle lists Linux kernel versions and stable commits addressing the issue, but does not describe privilege requirements, attack vectors, or practical impact.

Likely exposure

Exposure appears limited to Linux systems running affected kernel versions where the mtd maps of_flash_probe_versatile code path is used. This is more likely relevant to embedded or hardware-specific Linux deployments than general userland software.

Exploitation context

The bundle marks KEV as false and provides no cited evidence of active exploitation, public exploitability, or weaponized abuse. Treat exploitation status as unproven based on the supplied sources.

Researcher notes

Evidence is sparse: no CVSS, CWE, exploit status, or detailed impact is provided. Analysis should stay tied to the kernel commit description: a missing of_node_put() causing a refcount leak in a specific MTD map probe path.

Mitigation direction

  • Identify Linux kernel versions across managed assets.
  • Check whether affected systems use MTD maps or relevant device-tree flash probing.
  • Apply vendor or kernel stable updates containing the referenced fixes.
  • Prioritize embedded and appliance-like Linux deployments for review.
  • Monitor Linux distributor advisories for packaged kernel guidance.

Validation and detection

  • Compare running kernel versions against the affected versions in the CVE record.
  • Review vendor kernel changelogs for the referenced stable commits.
  • Confirm whether deployed hardware configurations exercise of_flash_probe_versatile.
  • Document systems where the MTD map path is absent or unreachable.
  • Retest after kernel update using normal platform validation procedures.
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-2022-50161 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
LinuxLinuxb0afd44bc192ff4c0e90a5fc1724350bcfc32b33, b0afd44bc192ff4c0e90a5fc1724350bcfc32b33, b0afd44bc192ff4c0e90a5fc1724350bcfc32b33, b0afd44bc192ff4c0e90a5fc1724350bcfc32b33, b0afd44bc192ff4c0e90a5fc1724350bcfc32b33, b0afd44bc192ff4c0e90a5fc1724350bcfc32b33, b0afd44bc192ff4c0e90a5fc1724350bcfc32b33, b0afd44bc192ff4c0e90a5fc1724350bcfc32b33unaffected
LinuxLinux4.7, 0, 4.14.291, 4.19.256, 5.4.211, 5.10.137, 5.15.61, 5.18.18, 5.19.2, 6.0affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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