Linux Kernel up to 5.19.3 ALSA snd_hda_codec_shutdown initialization

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability described as critical has been identified in Linux Kernel up to 5.19.3. This affects the function snd_hda_codec_shutdown of the component ALSA. Executing a manipulation can lead to initialization. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2022-50018. There is no exploit available. Upgrading the affected component is recommended.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability has been found in Linux Kernel up to 5.19.3 and classified as critical. This vulnerability affects the function snd_hda_codec_shutdown of the component ALSA. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a initialization vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-665. The product does not initialize or incorrectly initializes a resource, which might leave the resource in an unexpected state when it is accessed or used. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ALSA: hda: Fix page fault in snd_hda_codec_shutdown() If early probe of HDAudio bus driver fails e.g.: due to missing firmware file, snd_hda_codec_shutdown() ends in manipulating uninitialized codec->pcm_list_head causing page fault. Iinitialization of HDAudio codec in ASoC is split in two: - snd_hda_codec_device_init() - snd_hda_codec_device_new() snd_hda_codec_device_init() is called during probe_codecs() by HDAudio bus driver while snd_hda_codec_device_new() is called by codec-component's ->probe(). The second call will not happen until all components required by related sound card are present within the ASoC framework. With firmware failing to load during the PCI's deferred initialization i.e.: probe_work(), no platform components are ever registered. HDAudio codec enumeration is done at that point though, so the codec components became registered to ASoC framework, calling snd_hda_codec_device_init() in the process. Now, during platform reboot snd_hda_codec_shutdown() is called for every codec found on the HDAudio bus causing oops if any of them has not completed both of their initialization steps. Relocating field initialization fixes the issue.

The advisory is shared for download at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability was named CVE-2022-50018 since 06/18/2025. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available. The current price for an exploit might be approx. USD $0-$5k (estimation calculated on 11/30/2025).

Upgrading to version 5.19.4 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch e02db5c2c2ee15bc9a9ec8a86a614fd091e584dc/980b3a8790b402e959a6d773b38b771019682be1 is able to eliminate this problem. The bugfix is ready for download at git.kernel.org. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-1350). VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

Affected

• Debian Linux
• Amazon Linux 2
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux
• Ubuntu Linux
• SUSE Linux
• Oracle Linux
• SUSE openSUSE
• Open Source Linux Kernel
• RESF Rocky Linux
• Dell Avamar
• Dell NetWorker
• Dell Secure Connect Gateway
• IBM QRadar SIEM

Productinfo

Type

• Operating System

Vendor

• Linux

Name

• Kernel

Version

• 5.19.0
• 5.19.1
• 5.19.2
• 5.19.3

License

• open-source

Website

• Vendor: https://www.kernel.org/

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