CVE-2022-50528 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 10/07/2025
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
drm/amdkfd: Fix memory leakage
This patch fixes potential memory leakage and seg fault in _gpuvm_import_dmabuf() function
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/19/2026
The vulnerability CVE-2022-50528 represents a memory management issue within the Linux kernel's graphics subsystem, specifically affecting the AMD Kernel Driver Framework component. This flaw exists in the drm/amdkfd module which handles graphics processing unit virtual memory management for AMD hardware. The vulnerability manifests as a memory leak that can potentially lead to system instability and segmentation faults during graphics operations. The issue occurs within the _gpuvm_import_dmabuf() function which is responsible for importing dma buffers into GPU virtual memory spaces, a critical operation for graphics rendering and memory management in modern Linux systems.
The technical flaw stems from improper memory deallocation within the _gpuvm_import_dmabuf() function where allocated memory structures are not properly freed when certain error conditions occur during the dma buffer import process. This memory leak pattern represents a classic software defect that can be categorized under CWE-401, which specifically addresses improper memory management and resource leaks. The vulnerability demonstrates a failure in the kernel's memory management subsystem to properly handle resource cleanup operations, particularly when dealing with complex graphics memory operations involving dma buffer imports. When the function encounters error conditions during buffer processing, it fails to release previously allocated memory blocks, leading to gradual memory consumption that can eventually cause system performance degradation or complete system crashes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory consumption issues to potentially compromise system stability and security. Memory leaks in kernel space can create conditions where attackers might exploit the progressive resource exhaustion to cause denial of service attacks or potentially gain additional system privileges. The segmentation fault component of this vulnerability indicates that the memory corruption can lead to system crashes that may be leveraged for privilege escalation or system compromise. According to ATT&CK framework category T1068, this vulnerability could be exploited to gain elevated privileges through memory corruption techniques, while the memory leak aspect aligns with T1499 for resource exhaustion attacks. The vulnerability affects systems utilizing AMD graphics hardware with kernel versions that include the affected drm/amdkfd module, particularly those running graphics-intensive applications or gaming workloads.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-50528 should prioritize applying the official kernel patch that resolves the memory leak in the _gpuvm_import_dmabuf() function. System administrators should ensure all AMD graphics systems are updated to kernel versions containing the fix, typically kernel versions 5.19 and later which include the necessary drm/amdkfd improvements. Monitoring for memory usage patterns and system stability issues should be implemented as additional defensive measures, particularly in environments running graphics-intensive applications. The fix addresses the root cause by ensuring proper memory deallocation even when error conditions occur during dma buffer processing, preventing the accumulation of unreleased memory blocks. Organizations should also consider implementing automated patch management systems to ensure timely deployment of kernel security updates, as this vulnerability could be exploited in targeted attacks against systems with outdated graphics drivers. Regular system auditing for memory consumption anomalies and crash reporting should be maintained to detect potential exploitation attempts or degradation in system performance related to this memory management flaw.