Linux Kernel up to 5.18.17/5.19.1 kernfs fs/kernfs/dir.c __kernfs_remove null pointer dereference

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in Linux Kernel up to 5.18.17/5.19.1. Affected by this vulnerability is the function __kernfs_remove of the file fs/kernfs/dir.c of the component kernfs. Performing a manipulation results in null pointer dereference. This vulnerability is reported as CVE-2022-50148. No exploit exists. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in Linux Kernel up to 5.18.17/5.19.1. This affects the function __kernfs_remove of the file fs/kernfs/dir.c of the component kernfs. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a null pointer dereference vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-476. A NULL pointer dereference occurs when the application dereferences a pointer that it expects to be valid, but is NULL, typically causing a crash or exit. This is going to have an impact on availability. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: kernfs: fix potential NULL dereference in __kernfs_remove When lockdep is enabled, lockdep_assert_held_write would cause potential NULL pointer dereference. Fix the following smatch warnings: fs/kernfs/dir.c:1353 __kernfs_remove() warn: variable dereferenced before check 'kn' (see line 1346)

The advisory is shared at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2022-50148 since 06/18/2025. Technical details are known, but no exploit is available.

Upgrading to version 5.18.18 or 5.19.2 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch b871986d9d3071f5082664ac274d93f08db257cd/4a9f35b8729c5bf13ea671c908c17ed74c48fc50/72b5d5aef246a0387cefa23121dd90901c7a691a 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). Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best 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

• 5.18.0
• 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

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Entryinfo

Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

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