CVE-2022-50294 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 09/15/2025
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
wifi: libertas: fix memory leak in lbs_init_adapter()
When kfifo_alloc() failed in lbs_init_adapter(), cmd buffer is not released. Add free memory to processing error path.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/10/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-50294 represents a memory leak in the Linux kernel's wireless networking subsystem, specifically within the libertas driver implementation. This flaw exists in the lbs_init_adapter() function which manages the initialization of wireless adapter components. The libertas driver serves as a firmware interface for various wireless network adapters including those based on Marvell chipsets, making this vulnerability particularly significant for wireless connectivity across numerous Linux systems. The issue stems from inadequate error handling in the kernel's memory management processes, specifically when dealing with kernel FIFO (First In, First Out) buffer allocations that are fundamental to managing data flow between kernel space and wireless hardware components.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability manifests when the kfifo_alloc() function fails during the adapter initialization process. This function is responsible for allocating kernel FIFO buffers that serve as temporary storage mechanisms for command and data packets between the wireless driver and the hardware. When allocation fails due to insufficient memory or other resource constraints, the error handling path does not properly release previously allocated command buffer memory. This creates a memory leak where the system retains references to memory blocks that should be freed, leading to gradual memory consumption over time. The vulnerability is classified as a memory leak under CWE-401, which specifically addresses the failure to release memory resources after they are no longer needed. The flaw demonstrates poor resource management practices in kernel space where error recovery paths fail to maintain proper cleanup procedures, directly violating the principle of resource deallocation that is fundamental to preventing memory exhaustion attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-50294 extends beyond simple memory consumption issues to potentially compromise system stability and availability. While the immediate effect may appear as a gradual increase in memory usage, sustained memory leaks can eventually lead to system performance degradation, memory pressure, or even system crashes when memory resources become exhausted. This vulnerability affects Linux systems running wireless networking drivers that utilize the libertas framework, which includes various embedded systems, laptops, and servers with wireless capabilities. Attackers could potentially exploit this memory leak by repeatedly triggering the initialization failure condition, accelerating memory consumption and potentially causing denial of service scenarios. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 which describes resource exhaustion attacks, and represents a classic example of how insufficient error handling in kernel drivers can create persistent system stability issues that may be difficult to diagnose and remediate.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-50294 involve both immediate system-level actions and long-term architectural improvements. System administrators should ensure that all Linux kernels are updated to versions containing the fix, which typically involves applying the patch that adds proper memory cleanup to the error handling path in lbs_init_adapter(). The fix implements a straightforward but critical change that ensures cmd buffer memory is properly released when kfifo_alloc() fails, preventing the accumulation of leaked memory blocks. Additionally, monitoring systems should be implemented to track memory usage patterns and detect unusual memory consumption that might indicate similar memory leak vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing automated patch management systems to ensure timely deployment of kernel updates across all wireless-enabled systems. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of comprehensive error handling in kernel space code and the necessity of thorough testing of error paths to prevent resource leaks that can compromise system integrity and availability.