CVE-2022-50863 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 12/30/2025
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
wifi: rtw89: free unused skb to prevent memory leak
This avoid potential memory leak under power saving mode.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/26/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-50863 resides within the linux kernel's wireless subsystem, specifically affecting the rtw89 driver implementation. This driver manages wireless network interfaces for Realtek RTL89xx series chipsets commonly found in wireless network adapters. The issue manifests as a memory management flaw that occurs during power saving operations, where the driver fails to properly release unused socket buffer (skb) allocations. This represents a classic memory leak scenario that can accumulate over time, leading to progressive resource exhaustion and potential system instability.
The technical flaw stems from improper handling of socket buffer management within the wireless driver's power saving mode implementation. When the rtw89 driver enters power saving state, it should release all unused network packets that are no longer needed for transmission or reception. However, the driver contains a code path where these skb structures are allocated but never freed, creating a memory leak that persists across multiple power state transitions. This issue is particularly concerning because power saving modes are frequently utilized in wireless devices to conserve battery life, meaning the leak accumulates with regular usage patterns. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-401 as a weakness in memory management, specifically a memory leak that occurs due to improper resource deallocation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple resource consumption, potentially affecting system stability and performance in wireless-enabled devices. As memory leaks accumulate, the system's available memory decreases, which can lead to reduced performance, application crashes, or in severe cases, system lockups. Devices running in power saving modes experience this degradation more frequently, making it particularly problematic for laptops, mobile devices, and IoT systems where wireless connectivity and battery efficiency are critical. The vulnerability could be exploited by an attacker who maintains persistent network connectivity, allowing them to gradually consume system resources and potentially cause denial of service conditions. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.001 which involves resource exhaustion through memory leaks and similar mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-50863 involve applying the kernel patch that properly implements skb deallocation in the rtw89 driver's power saving code path. System administrators should prioritize updating to kernel versions containing the fix, typically found in kernel releases 5.19 and later. Additionally, monitoring system memory usage and implementing automated alerts for memory consumption patterns can help detect potential exploitation attempts. The fix addresses the root cause by ensuring that all unused socket buffers are properly freed during power saving transitions, preventing the accumulation of leaked memory. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring to detect unusual power state transitions that might indicate exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability is most effectively triggered during active wireless communication and power management operations.