Linux Kernel up to 5.18.17/5.19.1 damon_reclaim_init memory leak

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 5.18.17/5.19.1 and classified as critical. Affected by this issue is the function damon_reclaim_init. Executing a manipulation can lead to memory leak. This vulnerability is tracked as CVE-2022-50088. No exploit exists. It is suggested to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 5.18.17/5.19.1. It has been declared as critical. This vulnerability affects the function damon_reclaim_init. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a memory leak vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-401. The product does not sufficiently track and release allocated memory after it has been used, which slowly consumes remaining memory. As an impact it is known to affect availability. CVE summarizes:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: mm/damon/reclaim: fix potential memory leak in damon_reclaim_init() damon_reclaim_init() allocates a memory chunk for ctx with damon_new_ctx(). When damon_select_ops() fails, ctx is not released, which will lead to a memory leak. We should release the ctx with damon_destroy_ctx() when damon_select_ops() fails to fix the memory leak.

The advisory is shared for download at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability was named CVE-2022-50088 since 06/18/2025. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available.

Upgrading to version 5.18.18 or 5.19.2 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 9d3e9e1e0856f4c905bbb870f16f42ae72477071/700aa4e11a3c4d2a44d06758db431a013d9e1b61/188043c7f4f2bd662f2a55957d684fffa543e600 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

• 5.18.0
• 5.18.1
• 5.18.2
• 5.18.3
• 5.18.4
• 5.18.5
• 5.18.6
• 5.18.7
• 5.18.8
• 5.18.9
• 5.18.10
• 5.18.11
• 5.18.12
• 5.18.13
• 5.18.14
• 5.18.15
• 5.18.16
• 5.18.17
• 5.19.0
• 5.19.1

License

• open-source

Website

• Vendor: https://www.kernel.org/

CPE 2.3info

• 🔍
• 🔍
• 🔍

CPE 2.2info

• 🔍
• 🔍
• 🔍

CVSSv4info

CVSSv3info

CVSSv2info

Exploitinginfo

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Countermeasuresinfo

Timelineinfo

Sourcesinfo

Entryinfo

VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

Discussion