CVE-2022-50664 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 12/09/2025
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
media: dvb-frontends: fix leak of memory fw
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/29/2026
This vulnerability resides within the Linux kernel's digital video broadcasting dvb frontends subsystem where improper memory management leads to a memory leak during firmware loading operations. The issue specifically affects the handling of firmware resources when the dvb frontend drivers attempt to load and process firmware images for digital television reception hardware. The flaw manifests as a failure to properly release allocated memory buffers after firmware loading operations complete, resulting in gradual memory consumption that can eventually impact system stability and performance. This type of memory leak represents a classic resource management error that can be exploited to degrade system performance over time or potentially contribute to denial of service conditions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate error handling within the firmware loading path of dvb frontend drivers. When firmware loading operations encounter specific conditions or fail to complete successfully, the kernel fails to execute proper cleanup routines that would normally release previously allocated memory buffers. This memory leak occurs in the context of media subsystem operations where hardware drivers interact with firmware to enable proper functionality for digital television reception. The vulnerability impacts various dvb frontend drivers including those for different types of digital television receivers such as satellite, cable, and terrestrial tuners. The flaw specifically relates to the improper release of memory allocated for firmware image processing, where allocated kernel memory structures are not freed even when firmware loading operations terminate prematurely or encounter errors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory consumption issues as it can lead to progressive system degradation and potential service disruption. Attackers or malicious actors could potentially exploit this memory leak to cause system instability by triggering repeated firmware loading operations that gradually consume available system memory. In embedded systems or devices with limited memory resources, this vulnerability could lead to complete system crashes or unresponsive states. The vulnerability also poses risks to long-running systems where the memory leak accumulates over time, potentially causing performance degradation that affects other system processes. Additionally, in virtualized environments or systems with multiple dvb frontend devices, the cumulative effect of multiple memory leaks could significantly impact overall system performance and resource availability.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on applying the official kernel patch that resolves the memory leak issue through proper resource cleanup routines. System administrators should prioritize updating to kernel versions that contain the fix, typically those released after the vulnerability disclosure. The patch ensures that firmware loading operations properly release allocated memory buffers regardless of whether the operation completes successfully or fails. Organizations should also implement monitoring systems to detect unusual memory consumption patterns that might indicate the presence of this vulnerability. Regular system maintenance and kernel updates should be enforced as part of security protocols to prevent similar memory management issues. Additionally, implementing proper error handling and resource management practices in custom kernel modules or drivers that interact with dvb subsystems can help prevent similar issues in modified environments. This vulnerability aligns with common weakness enumerations such as CWE-401 which addresses improper release of memory and relates to attack techniques found in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under process injection and resource exhaustion categories.
The vulnerability represents a significant concern for systems that rely heavily on digital television reception capabilities, particularly in set-top boxes, media centers, and embedded devices that utilize dvb frontend hardware. Network infrastructure devices that process multiple dvb streams simultaneously are especially vulnerable to the cumulative effects of this memory leak. The impact is particularly severe in environments where these systems operate continuously without regular restarts or maintenance cycles. Security teams should monitor for this vulnerability in their inventory of Linux-based systems, especially those deployed in broadcast environments or systems handling critical media processing tasks. The fix typically requires kernel-level updates that may necessitate system downtime for deployment, making proactive monitoring and patch management essential for maintaining system stability and security.