# CVE-2022-48961: linux: In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:  net: mdio: fix unbalanced fwnode reference count...

CVE-2022-48961 is fixed in linux on 1 platform, first by DEBIAN-CVE-2022-48961, released October 21, 2024. It is not reported as exploited. Patch Radar priority: Routine.

- Web page: https://patchblox.com/security/cve/CVE-2022-48961
- Priority: Routine
- CVSS: 5.5 (medium)
- EPSS: 0.0025
- CISA KEV: not listed
- Exploited (vendor report): no
- Publicly disclosed: no
- Published: Oct 21, 2024

## Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:  net: mdio: fix unbalanced fwnode reference count in mdio_device_release()  There is warning report about of_node refcount leak while probing mdio device:  OF: ERROR: memory leak, expected refcount 1 instead of 2, of_node_get()/of_node_put() unbalanced - destroy cset entry: attach overlay node /spi/soc@0/mdio@710700c0/ethernet@4  In of_mdiobus_register_device(), we increase fwnode refcount by fwnode_handle_get() before associating the of_node with mdio device, but it has never been decreased in normal path. Since that, in mdio_device_release(), it needs to call fwnode_handle_put() in addition instead of calling kfree() directly.  After above, just calling mdio_device_free() in the error handle path of of_mdiobus_register_device() is enough to keep the refcount balanced.

## Where it's fixed

| Platform | Product | Fixed in | Fix | Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linux | linux Debian 12.15 (bookworm) | 6.1.4-1 | [DEBIAN-CVE-2022-48961](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/debian-cve-2022-48961.md) | Oct 21, 2024 |
| Linux | linux Debian 13.5 (trixie) | 6.1.4-1 | [DEBIAN-CVE-2022-48961](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/debian-cve-2022-48961.md) | Oct 21, 2024 |
| Linux | linux Debian 14 | 6.1.4-1 | [DEBIAN-CVE-2022-48961](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/linux/debian-cve-2022-48961.md) | Oct 21, 2024 |

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