CVE-2022-50784 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 12/30/2025
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
wifi: iwlwifi: mei: fix potential NULL-ptr deref after clone
If cloning the SKB fails, don't try to use it, but rather return as if we should pass it.
Coverity CID: 1503456
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/30/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-50784 resides within the Linux kernel's iwlwifi wireless driver implementation, specifically within the MEI (Management Engine Interface) subsystem that facilitates communication between the host system and Intel's Management Engine. This issue manifests as a potential null pointer dereference that occurs during the process of cloning socket buffer (SKB) structures, which are fundamental data containers used in network packet handling within the kernel. The flaw represents a classic software defect pattern where error handling logic fails to properly account for allocation failures, leading to unsafe memory access patterns that could compromise system stability and potentially provide attack vectors.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate error checking in the SKB cloning operation within the wireless driver's MEI communication pathway. When the kernel attempts to clone a socket buffer structure to facilitate network packet processing, the cloning operation may fail due to memory constraints or other allocation issues. However, the existing code logic does not properly validate whether the cloning operation succeeded before attempting to utilize the cloned SKB structure. This oversight creates a scenario where a null pointer reference occurs when the code attempts to access members of a structure that was never properly initialized due to the failed cloning operation.
This vulnerability falls under the CWE-476 category of NULL Pointer Dereference, which is a well-documented weakness in software security that occurs when a program attempts to access a memory location pointed to by a null reference. The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system crashes, as it represents a potential denial of service condition that could affect wireless connectivity and overall system stability. In environments where wireless networking is critical for system operation, such as embedded devices or enterprise infrastructure, this flaw could result in service disruption and potentially provide attackers with opportunities to exploit the system's instability for more sophisticated attacks.
The potential attack surface for this vulnerability aligns with the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation and denial of service tactics, as an attacker could potentially leverage this null pointer dereference to cause system instability or trigger additional vulnerabilities within the kernel's network stack. While the immediate impact may be limited to a denial of service condition, the presence of such flaws in kernel space components increases the overall attack surface and could potentially be chained with other vulnerabilities to achieve more significant compromises. The Coverity CID 1503456 reference indicates this was identified through static code analysis, highlighting the importance of comprehensive testing and code review processes in kernel development.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-50784 should prioritize applying the official kernel patches released by the Linux kernel community, which implement proper error handling for the SKB cloning operation. System administrators should ensure that all wireless network interfaces using the iwlwifi driver are updated to kernel versions containing the fix. Additionally, monitoring for unusual system behavior or network connectivity issues could help identify exploitation attempts, though the vulnerability itself does not appear to enable direct code execution or privilege escalation. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit potential attack vectors, while maintaining regular kernel update schedules to address similar vulnerabilities in the wireless subsystem.