Linux Kernel up to 6.0.2 ath9k_htc_rx_msg uninitialized pointer

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5.5$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.0.2. The affected element is the function ath9k_htc_rx_msg. Performing a manipulation results in uninitialized pointer. This vulnerability is cataloged as CVE-2022-50709. There is no exploit available. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.0.2. This affects the function ath9k_htc_rx_msg. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a uninitialized pointer vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-824. The product accesses or uses a pointer that has not been initialized. This is going to have an impact on availability. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: wifi: ath9k: avoid uninit memory read in ath9k_htc_rx_msg() syzbot is reporting uninit value at ath9k_htc_rx_msg() [1], for ioctl(USB_RAW_IOCTL_EP_WRITE) can call ath9k_hif_usb_rx_stream() with pkt_len = 0 but ath9k_hif_usb_rx_stream() uses __dev_alloc_skb(pkt_len + 32, GFP_ATOMIC) based on an assumption that pkt_len is valid. As a result, ath9k_hif_usb_rx_stream() allocates skb with uninitialized memory and ath9k_htc_rx_msg() is reading from uninitialized memory. Since bytes accessed by ath9k_htc_rx_msg() is not known until ath9k_htc_rx_msg() is called, it would be difficult to check minimal valid pkt_len at "if (pkt_len > 2 * MAX_RX_BUF_SIZE) {" line in ath9k_hif_usb_rx_stream(). We have two choices. One is to workaround by adding __GFP_ZERO so that ath9k_htc_rx_msg() sees 0 if pkt_len is invalid. The other is to let ath9k_htc_rx_msg() validate pkt_len before accessing. This patch chose the latter. Note that I'm not sure threshold condition is correct, for I can't find details on possible packet length used by this protocol.

It is possible to read the advisory at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2022-50709 since 12/24/2025. Technical details of the vulnerability are known, but there is no available exploit.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 279957 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2022-50709), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 4.14.296, 4.19.262, 5.4.220, 5.10.150, 5.15.75, 5.19.17 or 6.0.3 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch f3d2a3b7e290d0bdbddfcee5a6c3d922e2b7e02a/84242f15f911f34aec9b22f99d1e9bff19723dbe/2c485f4f2a64258acc5228e78ffb828c68d9e770/9661724f6206bd606ecf13acada676a9975d230b/b1b4144508adfc585e43856b31baaf9008a3beb4/0d2649b288b7b9484e3d4380c0d6c4720a17e473/4891a50f5ed8bfcb8f2a4b816b0676f398687783/b383e8abed41cc6ff1a3b34de75df9397fa4878c 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 (279957) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-2920). 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

Productinfo

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Version

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Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 5.7
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 5.5

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

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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💳💳💳💳💳💳
💳💳💳💳💳💳
VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔒
VulDB Temp Score: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Uninitialized pointer
CWE: CWE-824 / CWE-908
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Partially

Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔒
EPSS Percentile: 🔒

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒

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Nessus ID: 279957
Nessus Name: Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2022-50709

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 4.14.296/4.19.262/5.4.220/5.10.150/5.15.75/5.19.17/6.0.3
Patch: f3d2a3b7e290d0bdbddfcee5a6c3d922e2b7e02a/84242f15f911f34aec9b22f99d1e9bff19723dbe/2c485f4f2a64258acc5228e78ffb828c68d9e770/9661724f6206bd606ecf13acada676a9975d230b/b1b4144508adfc585e43856b31baaf9008a3beb4/0d2649b288b7b9484e3d4380c0d6c4720a17e473/4891a50f5ed8bfcb8f2a4b816b0676f398687783/b383e8abed41cc6ff1a3b34de75df9397fa4878c

Timelineinfo

12/24/2025 Advisory disclosed
12/24/2025 +0 days CVE reserved
12/24/2025 +0 days VulDB entry created
02/24/2026 +62 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2022-50709 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2022-50709
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-337959
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2025-2920 - Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen

Entryinfo

Created: 12/24/2025 14:24
Updated: 02/24/2026 15:43
Changes: 12/24/2025 14:24 (58), 12/24/2025 17:24 (7), 12/26/2025 07:29 (2), 01/29/2026 23:38 (1), 02/24/2026 15:43 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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

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