Linux Kernel up to 5.15.62/5.19.3 netfilter nft_expr_clone reference count

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 5.15.62/5.19.3. It has been rated as critical. This impacts the function nft_expr_clone of the component netfilter. Performing a manipulation results in reference count. This vulnerability is reported as CVE-2022-50048. No exploit exists. Upgrading the affected component is advised.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in Linux Kernel up to 5.15.62/5.19.3. This affects the function nft_expr_clone of the component netfilter. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a reference count vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-911. The product uses a reference count to manage a resource, but it does not update or incorrectly updates the reference count. This is going to have an impact on availability. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: netfilter: nf_tables: possible module reference underflow in error path dst->ops is set on when nft_expr_clone() fails, but module refcount has not been bumped yet, therefore nft_expr_destroy() leads to module reference underflow.

It is possible to read the advisory at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2022-50048 since 06/18/2025. Technical details of the vulnerability are known, but there is no available exploit.

Upgrading to version 5.15.63 or 5.19.4 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch b59bee8b05b0e789b5a298cacb09e8aaa3367a29/1e52e6cfec6342c3d0df47dc3a76724fb3dabf56/c485c35ff6783ccd12c160fcac6a0e504e83e0bf 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 databases at EUVD (EUVD-2022-55319) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-1350). Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

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

• 5.15.0
• 5.15.1
• 5.15.2
• 5.15.3
• 5.15.4
• 5.15.5
• 5.15.6
• 5.15.7
• 5.15.8
• 5.15.9
• 5.15.10
• 5.15.11
• 5.15.12
• 5.15.13
• 5.15.14
• 5.15.15
• 5.15.16
• 5.15.17
• 5.15.18
• 5.15.19
• 5.15.20
• 5.15.21
• 5.15.22
• 5.15.23
• 5.15.24
• 5.15.25
• 5.15.26
• 5.15.27
• 5.15.28
• 5.15.29
• 5.15.30
• 5.15.31
• 5.15.32
• 5.15.33
• 5.15.34
• 5.15.35
• 5.15.36
• 5.15.37
• 5.15.38
• 5.15.39
• 5.15.40
• 5.15.41
• 5.15.42
• 5.15.43
• 5.15.44
• 5.15.45
• 5.15.46
• 5.15.47
• 5.15.48
• 5.15.49
• 5.15.50
• 5.15.51
• 5.15.52
• 5.15.53
• 5.15.54
• 5.15.55
• 5.15.56
• 5.15.57
• 5.15.58
• 5.15.59
• 5.15.60
• 5.15.61
• 5.15.62
• 5.19.0
• 5.19.1
• 5.19.2
• 5.19.3

License

• open-source

Website

• Vendor: https://www.kernel.org/

CPE 2.3info

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CPE 2.2info

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Exploitinginfo

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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Sourcesinfo

Entryinfo

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