CVE-2022-50408
BaseFortify
Publication date: 2025-09-18
Last updated on: 2025-12-11
Assigner: kernel.org
Description
Description
CVSS Scores
EPSS Scores
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Meta Information
Affected Vendors & Products
| Vendor | Product | Version / Range |
|---|---|---|
| linux | linux_kernel | to 4.14.296 (exc) |
| linux | linux_kernel | From 4.15 (inc) to 4.19.262 (exc) |
| linux | linux_kernel | From 4.20 (inc) to 5.4.220 (exc) |
| linux | linux_kernel | From 5.5 (inc) to 5.10.150 (exc) |
| linux | linux_kernel | From 5.11 (inc) to 5.15.75 (exc) |
| linux | linux_kernel | From 5.16 (inc) to 5.19.17 (exc) |
| linux | linux_kernel | From 6.0 (inc) to 6.0.3 (exc) |
Helpful Resources
Exploitability
| CWE ID | Description |
|---|---|
| CWE-416 | The product reuses or references memory after it has been freed. At some point afterward, the memory may be allocated again and saved in another pointer, while the original pointer references a location somewhere within the new allocation. Any operations using the original pointer are no longer valid because the memory "belongs" to the code that operates on the new pointer. |
Attack-Flow Graph
AI Powered Q&A
Can you explain this vulnerability to me?
This vulnerability is a use-after-free bug in the Linux kernel's brcmfmac WiFi driver, specifically in the function brcmf_netdev_start_xmit(). It occurs because a function call that may schedule and complete before a subsequent line that updates network device statistics, leading to accessing memory that has already been freed. This can cause kernel memory corruption or crashes.
What immediate steps should I take to mitigate this vulnerability?
Immediate mitigation involves updating the Linux kernel to a version where this use-after-free bug in brcmf_netdev_start_xmit() has been fixed. Since this is a kernel-level vulnerability in the brcmfmac driver, applying the vendor's or distribution's security patches or kernel updates that address this issue is recommended. If updating is not immediately possible, disabling the affected wireless driver (brcmfmac) or avoiding use of affected wireless hardware may reduce exposure.
How can this vulnerability impact me? :
The use-after-free bug can lead to kernel memory corruption, which may cause system instability, crashes, or potentially allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges, compromising system security.
How can this vulnerability be detected on my network or system? Can you suggest some commands?
This vulnerability manifests as a use-after-free bug in the brcmf_netdev_start_xmit() function of the brcmfmac driver in the Linux kernel. Detection can be done by monitoring kernel logs for KASAN (Kernel Address Sanitizer) reports indicating use-after-free errors related to brcmf_netdev_start_xmit. You can check the kernel log using the command: dmesg | grep brcmf_netdev_start_xmit or dmesg | grep KASAN. Additionally, monitoring for BUG or KASAN messages in the kernel logs can help detect this issue.