Linux Kernel up to 6.1.3 ext4 ext4_xattr_inode_create reference count

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5.5	$0-$5k	0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.1.3. This impacts the function ext4_xattr_inode_create of the component ext4. The manipulation leads to reference count. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2022-50845. No exploit exists. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.1.3. This issue affects the function ext4_xattr_inode_create of the component ext4. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a reference count vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-911. The product uses a reference count to manage a resource, but it does not update or incorrectly updates the reference count. Impacted is availability. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ext4: fix inode leak in ext4_xattr_inode_create() on an error path There is issue as follows when do setxattr with inject fault: [localhost]# fsck.ext4 -fn /dev/sda e2fsck 1.46.6-rc1 (12-Sep-2022) Pass 1: Checking inodes, blocks, and sizes Pass 2: Checking directory structure Pass 3: Checking directory connectivity Pass 4: Checking reference counts Unattached zero-length inode 15. Clear? no Unattached inode 15 Connect to /lost+found? no Pass 5: Checking group summary information /dev/sda: ********** WARNING: Filesystem still has errors ********** /dev/sda: 15/655360 files (0.0% non-contiguous), 66755/2621440 blocks This occurs in 'ext4_xattr_inode_create()'. If 'ext4_mark_inode_dirty()' fails, dropping i_nlink of the inode is needed. Or will lead to inode leak.

The advisory is shared at git.kernel.org. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2022-50845 since 12/30/2025. The exploitation is known to be easy. Technical details are known, but no exploit is available.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 281554 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2022-50845), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 4.14.303, 4.19.270, 5.4.229, 5.10.163, 5.15.87, 6.0.18 or 6.1.4 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 0f709e08caffb41bbc9b38b9a4c1bd0769794007/eab94a46560f68d4bcd15222701ced479f84f427/9ef603086c5b796fde1c7f22a17d0fc826ba54cb/9882601ee689975c1c0076ee65bf222a2a35e535/322cf639b0b7f137543072c55545adab782b3a25/fdaaf45786dc8c17a72901021772520fceb18f8c/70e5b46beba64706430a87a6d516054225e8ac8a/e4db04f7d3dbbe16680e0ded27ea2a65b10f766a 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 (281554) 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

• Operating System

Vendor

• Linux

Name

• Kernel

Version

• 4.14.302
• 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
• 5.15.86
• 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
• 6.0.16
• 6.0.17
• 6.1.0
• 6.1.1
• 6.1.2
• 6.1.3

License

• open-source

Website

• Vendor: https://www.kernel.org/

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

AV	AC	Au	C	I	A
💳	💳	💳	💳	💳	💳
💳	💳	💳	💳	💳	💳
💳	💳	💳	💳	💳	💳

Vector	Complexity	Authentication	Confidentiality	Integrity	Availability
Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock
Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock
Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock

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: 🔒

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

Nessus ID: 281554
Nessus Name: Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2022-50845

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 4.14.303/4.19.270/5.4.229/5.10.163/5.15.87/6.0.18/6.1.4
Patch: 0f709e08caffb41bbc9b38b9a4c1bd0769794007/eab94a46560f68d4bcd15222701ced479f84f427/9ef603086c5b796fde1c7f22a17d0fc826ba54cb/9882601ee689975c1c0076ee65bf222a2a35e535/322cf639b0b7f137543072c55545adab782b3a25/fdaaf45786dc8c17a72901021772520fceb18f8c/70e5b46beba64706430a87a6d516054225e8ac8a/e4db04f7d3dbbe16680e0ded27ea2a65b10f766a

Timelineinfo

12/30/2025 Advisory disclosed
12/30/2025 +0 days CVE reserved
12/30/2025 +0 days VulDB entry created
04/26/2026 +117 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2022-50845 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2022-50845
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-338897
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2025-2941 - Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen ermöglichen Denial of Service

Entryinfo

Created: 12/30/2025 16:17
Updated: 04/26/2026 02:53
Changes: 12/30/2025 16:17 (59), 12/31/2025 14:19 (7), 01/01/2026 05:42 (2), 01/27/2026 14:40 (1), 04/26/2026 02:53 (1)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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

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