CVE-2022-48722 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 06/20/2024
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
net: ieee802154: ca8210: Stop leaking skb's
Upon error the ieee802154_xmit_complete() helper is not called. Only ieee802154_wake_queue() is called manually. We then leak the skb structure.
Free the skb structure upon error before returning.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/17/2025
The vulnerability CVE-2022-48722 represents a memory management flaw in the Linux kernel's ieee802154 subsystem, specifically within the ca8210 driver implementation. This issue manifests as a kernel memory leak that occurs during wireless communication error handling within the 802.15.4 IEEE standard compliant network stack. The problem affects devices that utilize the ca8210 hardware driver for low-power wireless communication, typically found in IoT and sensor network applications where memory efficiency and system stability are critical. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-401 as a failure to release memory resource, representing a classic memory leak scenario that can lead to progressive system degradation over time.
The technical flaw occurs within the ieee802154_xmit_complete() helper function invocation logic within the wireless driver's transmission completion handling code. When an error condition is detected during packet transmission, the system correctly calls ieee802154_wake_queue() to resume queue operations but fails to invoke the ieee802154_xmit_complete() helper function. This omission results in the skb (socket buffer) structure being left unreferenced and unreleased, creating a memory leak where kernel memory becomes unavailable for reuse. The skb structure contains critical packet data and metadata that must be properly managed to maintain system memory integrity. This error handling path represents a deviation from proper kernel programming practices where all allocated resources must be accounted for and released regardless of execution path outcomes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory consumption, potentially leading to system instability and performance degradation in embedded wireless devices. While the immediate effect may appear as a small memory leak per error condition, in high-throughput wireless environments or systems with frequent transmission errors, this can accumulate to significant memory pressure. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in resource-constrained IoT deployments where memory exhaustion could lead to system crashes or reduced network reliability. From an attack perspective, this represents a potential denial-of-service vector where an attacker could potentially induce repeated errors to exhaust available kernel memory, though the direct exploitability is limited compared to more severe kernel vulnerabilities. The issue affects systems running Linux kernel versions prior to the fix implementation, making it relevant for device manufacturers and system administrators managing embedded wireless infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-48722 focus on applying the official kernel patch that ensures proper skb structure release upon error conditions. System administrators should prioritize kernel updates across affected deployments, particularly in mission-critical wireless sensor networks and IoT infrastructure where memory stability is paramount. The fix implements a straightforward defensive programming approach by adding explicit skb freeing before returning from error paths, aligning with best practices in kernel memory management. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring for memory usage patterns in wireless network deployments to detect potential memory leak symptoms. Additionally, the vulnerability highlights the importance of thorough error handling validation in kernel drivers, particularly those managing network packet transmission where resource cleanup must occur regardless of execution success or failure. This issue serves as a reminder of the critical need for comprehensive testing of error paths in kernel space code, as outlined in the ATT&CK framework's system hardening and kernel integrity requirements.