CVE-2022-50759 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 12/24/2025
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
media: i2c: ov5648: Free V4L2 fwnode data on unbind
The V4L2 fwnode data structure doesn't get freed on unbind, which leads to a memleak.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/21/2026
The vulnerability CVE-2022-50759 addresses a memory leak issue within the Linux kernel's media subsystem, specifically affecting the i2c driver for the ov5648 camera sensor. This flaw resides in the video4linux2 (V4L2) framework where device node data structures are not properly cleaned up during driver unbinding operations. The issue occurs when the kernel module handling the ov5648 sensor is unloaded or detached from the system, leaving behind allocated memory that should have been freed. This represents a classic memory management oversight that can accumulate over time and potentially lead to system instability or performance degradation.
The technical root cause stems from improper resource cleanup within the driver's unbind function, where the V4L2 fwnode data structure remains allocated in memory despite the device being removed from the system. According to CWE-404, this vulnerability maps directly to improper resource management, specifically memory leaks that occur when allocated resources are not properly released. The flaw manifests in the kernel's device management flow where the driver fails to execute the necessary cleanup routines that would normally free the memory allocated for the fwnode data structure. This type of memory leak can be categorized under CWE-772, which deals with missing release of memory after effective lifetime, as the allocated memory continues to occupy system resources beyond its intended usage period.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a moderate risk to systems running affected kernel versions, particularly in embedded environments or devices that frequently load and unload camera drivers. The memory leak accumulates over time as the driver is repeatedly bound and unbound, potentially leading to gradual memory exhaustion that affects system performance. In high-availability systems or those with limited memory resources, this could result in unexpected system behavior or even system crashes. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1490, which involves data destruction through resource exhaustion, as the memory leak can contribute to broader system resource depletion. Additionally, this issue can be classified under ATT&CK technique T1070.004, which deals with indicator removal on host through deletion of system logs, as the memory leak can mask other system issues or contribute to performance degradation that might obscure legitimate security events.
The mitigation strategy involves ensuring that all kernel drivers properly implement cleanup routines during unbind operations, particularly for V4L2 fwnode data structures. System administrators should update to kernel versions that include the fix, which typically involves modifying the driver's unbind function to explicitly free the allocated memory for the fwnode data structure. This requires careful attention to proper resource management practices and thorough testing of driver unbinding sequences. The fix demonstrates the importance of adhering to proper kernel development practices and following established patterns for resource management in device drivers. Organizations should also implement monitoring solutions to detect memory leak patterns and regularly update their kernel versions to address known vulnerabilities. The vulnerability highlights the critical need for comprehensive testing of driver lifecycle operations, particularly during device removal scenarios, to ensure that all allocated resources are properly accounted for and released.