Linux Kernel up to 6.0.15/6.1.1 init_mtd memory leak

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.0.15/6.1.1. Affected by this vulnerability is the function init_mtd. Executing a manipulation can lead to memory leak. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2022-50304. There is not any exploit available. Upgrading the affected component is advised.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.0.15/6.1.1. It has been declared as critical. This vulnerability affects the function init_mtd. 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 confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: mtd: core: fix possible resource leak in init_mtd() I got the error report while inject fault in init_mtd(): sysfs: cannot create duplicate filename '/devices/virtual/bdi/mtd-0' Call Trace: <TASK> dump_stack_lvl+0x67/0x83 sysfs_warn_dup+0x60/0x70 sysfs_create_dir_ns+0x109/0x120 kobject_add_internal+0xce/0x2f0 kobject_add+0x98/0x110 device_add+0x179/0xc00 device_create_groups_vargs+0xf4/0x100 device_create+0x7b/0xb0 bdi_register_va.part.13+0x58/0x2d0 bdi_register+0x9b/0xb0 init_mtd+0x62/0x171 [mtd] do_one_initcall+0x6c/0x3c0 do_init_module+0x58/0x222 load_module+0x268e/0x27d0 __do_sys_finit_module+0xd5/0x140 do_syscall_64+0x37/0x90 entry_SYSCALL_64_after_hwframe+0x63/0xcd </TASK> kobject_add_internal failed for mtd-0 with -EEXIST, don't try to register things with the same name in the same directory. Error registering mtd class or bdi: -17 If init_mtdchar() fails in init_mtd(), mtd_bdi will not be unregistered, as a result, we can't load the mtd module again, to fix this by calling bdi_unregister(mtd_bdi) after out_procfs label.

The advisory is shared for download at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability was named CVE-2022-50304 since 09/15/2025. The exploitation appears to be difficult. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 265204 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2022-50304), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 6.0.16 or 6.1.2 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 78816504100cbd8e6836df9f58cc4fbb8b262f1c/26c304a3f136009c5a2a04e2bf3ac6aa25aabcb4/1aadf01e5076b9ab6bf294b9622335c651314895 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 (265204) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-2053). 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
• 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

• 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

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Entryinfo

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

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