CVE-2022-50850 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 12/30/2025
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
scsi: ipr: Fix WARNING in ipr_init()
ipr_init() will not call unregister_reboot_notifier() when pci_register_driver() fails, which causes a WARNING. Call unregister_reboot_notifier() when pci_register_driver() fails.
notifier callback ipr_halt [ipr] already registered
WARNING: CPU: 3 PID: 299 at kernel/notifier.c:29 notifier_chain_register+0x16d/0x230 Modules linked in: ipr(+) xhci_pci_renesas xhci_hcd ehci_hcd usbcore led_class gpu_sched drm_buddy video wmi drm_ttm_helper ttm drm_display_helper drm_kms_helper drm drm_panel_orientation_quirks agpgart cfbft CPU: 3 PID: 299 Comm: modprobe Tainted: G W 6.1.0-rc1-00190-g39508d23b672-dirty #332 Hardware name: QEMU Standard PC (i440FX + PIIX, 1996), BIOS rel-1.15.0-0-g2dd4b9b3f840-prebuilt.qemu.org 04/01/2014 RIP: 0010:notifier_chain_register+0x16d/0x230 Call Trace: <TASK> __blocking_notifier_chain_register+0x73/0xb0 ipr_init+0x30/0x1000 [ipr]
do_one_initcall+0xdb/0x480 do_init_module+0x1cf/0x680 load_module+0x6a50/0x70a0 __do_sys_finit_module+0x12f/0x1c0 do_syscall_64+0x3f/0x90 entry_SYSCALL_64_after_hwframe+0x63/0xcd
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/07/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-50850 resides within the Linux kernel's SCSI subsystem, specifically affecting the ipr driver which handles IBM Power Linux RAID controllers. This issue manifests as a kernel warning message indicating that a notifier callback ipr_halt from the ipr module has already been registered, suggesting a potential race condition or improper cleanup mechanism during driver initialization. The problem occurs when the ipr_init() function fails to properly unregister a reboot notifier callback after pci_register_driver() encounters an error, leading to a situation where the same notifier is registered multiple times.
The technical flaw stems from improper error handling within the driver initialization sequence where the unregister_reboot_notifier() function is not invoked when pci_register_driver() fails. This creates a state where the reboot notifier callback remains registered even though the driver initialization has terminated unsuccessfully. The kernel's notifier framework maintains a registry of callback functions that are invoked during system events such as shutdown or reboot, and when duplicate registrations occur, the system generates warnings that can indicate deeper operational issues. This particular implementation error violates the expected behavior of proper resource cleanup and state management during driver lifecycle operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple warning messages as it can potentially lead to system instability during reboot sequences or when the driver is reloaded. The repeated registration of the same notifier callback can cause unexpected behavior during system shutdown processes, where multiple callbacks might attempt to execute simultaneously, potentially leading to data corruption or system crashes. This issue affects systems running kernel versions that include the problematic ipr driver implementation and can be particularly concerning in production environments where reliable system shutdown and reboot operations are critical. The warning message indicates a kernel version 6.1.0-rc1 with specific build information, suggesting this vulnerability impacts recent kernel development releases.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve applying the official kernel patch that ensures unregister_reboot_notifier() is called regardless of whether pci_register_driver() succeeds or fails. System administrators should update to kernel versions that include this fix, typically those released after the patch was incorporated into the mainline kernel. The fix aligns with security best practices for resource management and error handling as outlined in CWE-252, which addresses "Unchecked Return Value" vulnerabilities. Additionally, this issue demonstrates the importance of proper cleanup routines in kernel modules, a principle that aligns with ATT&CK technique T1547.006 for registry modification and system integrity maintenance. Organizations should monitor kernel update schedules and apply patches promptly to ensure their systems remain protected against potential escalation of this warning condition into more serious operational failures. The vulnerability represents a classic example of improper error handling that can be prevented through comprehensive testing of driver initialization sequences and proper resource management protocols.