Linux Kernel up to 6.1.1 regulator use_count memory leak

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5.5	$0-$5k	0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.1.1. It has been rated as critical. The affected element is the function use_count of the component regulator. Performing a manipulation results in memory leak. This vulnerability is reported as CVE-2022-50250. No exploit exists. Upgrading the affected component is advised.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.1.1. This affects the function use_count of the component regulator. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a memory leak vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-401. The product does not sufficiently track and release allocated memory after it has been used, which slowly consumes remaining memory. This is going to have an impact on availability. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: regulator: core: fix use_count leakage when handling boot-on I found a use_count leakage towards supply regulator of rdev with boot-on option. ┌───────────────────┐ ┌───────────────────┐ │ regulator_dev A │ │ regulator_dev B │ │ (boot-on) │ │ (boot-on) │ │ use_count=0 │◀──supply──│ use_count=1 │ │ │ │ │ └───────────────────┘ └───────────────────┘ In case of rdev(A) configured with `regulator-boot-on', the use_count of supplying regulator(B) will increment inside regulator_enable(rdev->supply). Thus, B will acts like always-on, and further balanced regulator_enable/disable cannot actually disable it anymore. However, B was also configured with `regulator-boot-on', we wish it could be disabled afterwards.

It is possible to read the advisory at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2022-50250 since 09/15/2025. Technical details of the vulnerability are known, but there is no available exploit.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 302981 (EulerOS Virtualization 2.13.1 : kernel (EulerOS-SA-2026-1637)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 4.19.270, 5.4.229, 5.10.163, 5.15.86, 6.0.16 or 6.1.2 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch dc3391d49479bc2bf8a2b88dbf86fdd800882fee/5bfc53df288e8ea54ca6866fb92034214940183f/4b737246ff50f810d6ab4be13c1388a07f0c14b1/feb847e6591e8c7a09cc39721cc9ca74fd9a5d80/4dd6e1cc9c7403f1ee1b7eee85bc31b797ae8347/bc6c381df5793ebcf32db88a3e65acf7870379fc/0591b14ce0398125439c759f889647369aa616a0 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 Tenable (302981) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-2053). 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
• IBM QRadar SIEM
• SUSE openSUSE
• Open Source Linux Kernel
• RESF Rocky Linux
• Dell Secure Connect Gateway
• F5 F5OS

Productinfo

Type

• Operating System

Vendor

• Linux

Name

• Kernel

Version

• 4.19.269
• 5.4.228
• 5.10.162
• 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
• 5.15.63
• 5.15.64
• 5.15.65
• 5.15.66
• 5.15.67
• 5.15.68
• 5.15.69
• 5.15.70
• 5.15.71
• 5.15.72
• 5.15.73
• 5.15.74
• 5.15.75
• 5.15.76
• 5.15.77
• 5.15.78
• 5.15.79
• 5.15.80
• 5.15.81
• 5.15.82
• 5.15.83
• 5.15.84
• 5.15.85
• 6.0.0
• 6.0.1
• 6.0.2
• 6.0.3
• 6.0.4
• 6.0.5
• 6.0.6
• 6.0.7
• 6.0.8
• 6.0.9
• 6.0.10
• 6.0.11
• 6.0.12
• 6.0.13
• 6.0.14
• 6.0.15
• 6.1.0
• 6.1.1

License

• open-source

Website

• Vendor: https://www.kernel.org/

CPE 2.3info

• 🔒
• 🔒
• 🔒

CPE 2.2info

• 🔒
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CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 5.6
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 5.5

VulDB Base Score: 5.7
VulDB Temp Score: 5.5
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 5.5
NVD Vector: 🔒

CVSSv2info

AV	AC	Au	C	I	A
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💳	💳	💳	💳	💳	💳
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Vector	Complexity	Authentication	Confidentiality	Integrity	Availability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔒
VulDB Temp Score: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Memory leak
CWE: CWE-401 / CWE-404
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: Partially

Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔒
EPSS Percentile: 🔒

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒

0-Day	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock
Today	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock

Nessus ID: 302981
Nessus Name: EulerOS Virtualization 2.13.1 : kernel (EulerOS-SA-2026-1637)

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 4.19.270/5.4.229/5.10.163/5.15.86/6.0.16/6.1.2
Patch: dc3391d49479bc2bf8a2b88dbf86fdd800882fee/5bfc53df288e8ea54ca6866fb92034214940183f/4b737246ff50f810d6ab4be13c1388a07f0c14b1/feb847e6591e8c7a09cc39721cc9ca74fd9a5d80/4dd6e1cc9c7403f1ee1b7eee85bc31b797ae8347/bc6c381df5793ebcf32db88a3e65acf7870379fc/0591b14ce0398125439c759f889647369aa616a0

Timelineinfo

09/15/2025 Advisory disclosed
09/15/2025 +0 days CVE reserved
09/15/2025 +0 days VulDB entry created
03/20/2026 +186 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2022-50250 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2022-50250
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-323967
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2025-2053 - Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen

Entryinfo

Created: 09/15/2025 16:45
Updated: 03/20/2026 18:16
Changes: 09/15/2025 16:45 (59), 09/16/2025 10:25 (7), 11/27/2025 03:38 (10), 12/28/2025 05:50 (1), 01/10/2026 09:03 (1), 03/20/2026 18:16 (2)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

Discussion

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