Linux Kernel up to 6.1.1 net sk_stream_kill_queues reference count

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5.5$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability marked as critical has been reported in Linux Kernel up to 6.1.1. This issue affects the function sk_stream_kill_queues of the component net. This manipulation causes reference count. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2022-50838. There is not any exploit available. It is suggested to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.1.1 and classified as critical. Affected by this vulnerability is the function sk_stream_kill_queues of the component net. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a reference count vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-911. The product uses a reference count to manage a resource, but it does not update or incorrectly updates the reference count. As an impact it is known to affect availability. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net: stream: purge sk_error_queue in sk_stream_kill_queues() Changheon Lee reported TCP socket leaks, with a nice repro. It seems we leak TCP sockets with the following sequence: 1) SOF_TIMESTAMPING_TX_ACK is enabled on the socket. Each ACK will cook an skb put in error queue, from __skb_tstamp_tx(). __skb_tstamp_tx() is using skb_clone(), unless SOF_TIMESTAMPING_OPT_TSONLY was also requested. 2) If the application is also using MSG_ZEROCOPY, then we put in the error queue cloned skbs that had a struct ubuf_info attached to them. Whenever an struct ubuf_info is allocated, sock_zerocopy_alloc() does a sock_hold(). As long as the cloned skbs are still in sk_error_queue, socket refcount is kept elevated. 3) Application closes the socket, while error queue is not empty. Since tcp_close() no longer purges the socket error queue, we might end up with a TCP socket with at least one skb in error queue keeping the socket alive forever. This bug can be (ab)used to consume all kernel memory and freeze the host. We need to purge the error queue, with proper synchronization against concurrent writers.

The advisory is shared at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2022-50838 since 12/30/2025. Technical details are known, but no exploit is available.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 319480 (EulerOS Virtualization 2.10.1 : kernel (EulerOS-SA-2026-2022)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 4.9.337, 4.14.303, 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 c8c1eec578a9ae2dc8f14a1846942a0b7bf29d1d/bab542cf56fc174c8447c00b73be99ffd66d2d39/6f00bd0402a1e3d2d556afba57c045bd7931e4d3/4f1d37ff4226eb99d6b69e9f4518e279e1a851bf/9062493811676ee0efe6c74d98f00ca38c4e17d4/9da204cd67c4fe97e8aa465d10d5c2e7076f7f42/8c330c36b3970d0917f48827fa6c7a9c75aa4602/b458d349f8753f666233828ebd30df6f100cf7d5/e0c8bccd40fc1c19e1d246c39bcf79e357e1ada3 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 (319480) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-2941). Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

Affected

  • Debian Linux
  • Amazon Linux 2
  • IBM Power Hardware Management Console
  • Red Hat Enterprise Linux
  • Ubuntu Linux
  • SUSE Linux
  • Oracle Linux
  • Open Source Linux Kernel
  • RESF Rocky Linux
  • IBM DataPower Gateway

Productinfo

Type

Vendor

Name

Version

License

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: Reference count
CWE: CWE-911 / CWE-664
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: 319480
Nessus Name: EulerOS Virtualization 2.10.1 : kernel (EulerOS-SA-2026-2022)

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 4.9.337/4.14.303/4.19.270/5.4.229/5.10.163/5.15.86/6.0.16/6.1.2
Patch: c8c1eec578a9ae2dc8f14a1846942a0b7bf29d1d/bab542cf56fc174c8447c00b73be99ffd66d2d39/6f00bd0402a1e3d2d556afba57c045bd7931e4d3/4f1d37ff4226eb99d6b69e9f4518e279e1a851bf/9062493811676ee0efe6c74d98f00ca38c4e17d4/9da204cd67c4fe97e8aa465d10d5c2e7076f7f42/8c330c36b3970d0917f48827fa6c7a9c75aa4602/b458d349f8753f666233828ebd30df6f100cf7d5/e0c8bccd40fc1c19e1d246c39bcf79e357e1ada3

Timelineinfo

12/30/2025 Advisory disclosed
12/30/2025 +0 days CVE reserved
12/30/2025 +0 days VulDB entry created
06/07/2026 +159 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2022-50838 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2022-50838
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-338881
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2025-2941 - Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen ermöglichen Denial of Service

Entryinfo

Created: 12/30/2025 16:09
Updated: 06/07/2026 03:05
Changes: 12/30/2025 16:09 (59), 12/31/2025 12:33 (7), 01/27/2026 12:40 (1), 04/25/2026 19:50 (1), 06/07/2026 03:05 (2)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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

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