CVE-2022-50264 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 09/15/2025
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
clk: socfpga: Fix memory leak in socfpga_gate_init()
Free @socfpga_clk and @ops on the error path to avoid memory leak issue.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/10/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-50264 represents a memory leak issue within the Linux kernel's clock management subsystem, specifically affecting the socfpga platform. This flaw exists in the clk socfpga driver implementation where proper resource cleanup is not performed during error handling paths. The affected code path is part of the socfpga_gate_init() function which initializes clock gates for Altera SoC FPGA platforms. When the initialization process encounters an error condition, the function fails to release previously allocated memory resources, leading to a gradual accumulation of unreleased memory within the kernel's address space. This type of memory leak represents a critical concern for embedded systems and server environments where long-running processes are common, as the leaked memory can eventually lead to system instability or performance degradation. The vulnerability directly impacts the kernel's memory management integrity and can potentially be exploited to exhaust available memory resources over time.
The technical flaw manifests in the socfpga_gate_init() function where memory allocation occurs for both socfpga_clk and ops structures but lacks proper cleanup mechanisms on error paths. This pattern violates fundamental kernel programming practices and constitutes a classic memory leak scenario. The CWE-401 classification applies here as this represents a failure to release memory resources after their use, specifically under error conditions. The issue occurs when the function encounters an error during initialization but fails to execute the corresponding free() operations for the allocated structures. This type of resource management error is particularly dangerous in kernel space because it can lead to systematic memory exhaustion without explicit error handling or recovery mechanisms. The flaw demonstrates poor defensive programming practices where error handling paths do not mirror the successful execution paths in terms of resource cleanup.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory consumption issues to potentially compromise system stability and availability. In production environments running Linux kernels with affected socfpga drivers, the memory leak can accumulate over time, especially in systems that repeatedly initialize clock gates or experience frequent error conditions. This can result in gradual performance degradation, system slowdowns, or even complete system crashes when memory resources become exhausted. For embedded systems running on Altera SoC FPGA platforms, this vulnerability represents a significant risk as these systems often operate with limited memory resources and may not have robust memory management monitoring. The ATT&CK framework's T1490 technique for data destruction or disk content modification could be indirectly related through memory exhaustion attacks that leverage such kernel memory leaks. The vulnerability is particularly concerning for industrial control systems and network infrastructure devices where continuous operation is critical.
The resolution for CVE-2022-50264 involves implementing proper error path handling within the socfpga_gate_init() function to ensure that allocated memory for socfpga_clk and ops structures is freed when errors occur during initialization. This fix represents a standard defensive programming approach that aligns with kernel development best practices and security guidelines. The solution requires modifying the error handling code paths to include explicit free() operations for all allocated resources before returning from the function. This type of fix is categorized under kernel security hardening measures and demonstrates the importance of thorough resource management in kernel modules. System administrators should apply the patched kernel version immediately to prevent potential exploitation of this memory leak vulnerability. The fix also serves as a reminder of the critical importance of comprehensive testing of error paths in kernel code, particularly for drivers managing hardware resources where resource leaks can have severe operational consequences. Regular kernel updates and security assessments are essential for maintaining system integrity against such vulnerabilities that can compromise memory management and overall system stability.