CVE-2022-50547 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 10/07/2025
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
media: solo6x10: fix possible memory leak in solo_sysfs_init()
If device_register() returns error in solo_sysfs_init(), the name allocated by dev_set_name() need be freed. As comment of device_register() says, it should use put_device() to give up the reference in the error path. So fix this by calling put_device(), then the name can be freed in kobject_cleanup().
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/20/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-50547 resides within the Linux kernel's media subsystem, specifically affecting the solo6x10 driver responsible for handling certain video capture devices. This memory management issue represents a classic case of resource leak that can occur during device initialization processes. The flaw manifests when the solo_sysfs_init() function encounters an error condition during device registration, creating potential memory exhaustion scenarios that could impact system stability and performance over time.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of device reference counting during error paths in the device registration sequence. When device_register() fails within solo_sysfs_init(), the function allocates memory for device names using dev_set_name() but fails to properly release these resources. The Linux kernel's device model documentation and implementation guidelines explicitly mandate that when device_register() returns an error, the calling function must invoke put_device() to properly release the device reference and associated resources. This pattern ensures proper cleanup of kernel objects and prevents memory leaks that could accumulate over multiple device initialization attempts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory consumption issues, as it represents a potential denial of service vector within embedded systems and server environments that rely heavily on media device drivers. Attackers could potentially exploit this weakness by repeatedly triggering device registration failures, leading to progressive memory exhaustion that degrades system performance or causes unexpected system crashes. The vulnerability affects systems running Linux kernel versions where the solo6x10 driver is present, particularly those utilizing video capture hardware that depends on this specific driver implementation. This type of resource leak vulnerability aligns with CWE-401, which categorizes improper resource management and memory leaks as critical security concerns in kernel space programming.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-50547 involve applying the official kernel patch that implements the correct resource cleanup procedure by calling put_device() before returning from the error path in solo_sysfs_init(). System administrators should prioritize updating their kernel versions to include this fix, particularly in production environments where stability and resource management are paramount. The fix demonstrates proper adherence to the Linux kernel's device model conventions and follows ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers resource exhaustion attacks through improper resource management. Organizations should also implement monitoring for unusual memory consumption patterns that could indicate resource leak exploitation attempts, while maintaining regular kernel update schedules to address similar vulnerabilities proactively.