CVE-2022-50131 – This is a buffer overflow vulnerability in the ... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2022-50131?

CVE-2022-50131 has a CVSS score of 7.8 (HIGH). This is a buffer overflow vulnerability in the Linux kernel's HID mcp2221 driver. It allows attackers to write beyond allocated memory boundaries in the mcp_smbus_write() function, potentially leading to kernel crashes or arbitrary code execution. Systems using affected Linux kernel versions with the mcp2221 HID driver loaded are vulnerable.

📋 TL;DR

This is a buffer overflow vulnerability in the Linux kernel's HID mcp2221 driver. It allows attackers to write beyond allocated memory boundaries in the mcp_smbus_write() function, potentially leading to kernel crashes or arbitrary code execution. Systems using affected Linux kernel versions with the mcp2221 HID driver loaded are vulnerable.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Linux kernel

Versions: Specific affected versions not explicitly stated in CVE, but patches exist in stable kernel trees. Likely affects versions before the fix commits.

Operating Systems: Linux distributions using vulnerable kernel versions

Default Config Vulnerable: ✅ No

Notes: Only vulnerable if the hid-mcp2221 driver is loaded (typically when MCP2221 USB-to-I2C/GPIO adapter is connected).

📦 What is this software?

Linux Kernel by Linux

The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...

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Linux Kernel by Linux

The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...

Learn more about Linux Kernel →

Linux Kernel by Linux

The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...

Learn more about Linux Kernel →

Linux Kernel by Linux

The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...

Learn more about Linux Kernel →

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Kernel panic leading to system crash, or potential privilege escalation to kernel-level code execution allowing full system compromise.

🟠

Likely Case

System instability, kernel crashes (denial of service), or limited information disclosure from kernel memory.

🟢

If Mitigated

Minimal impact if driver is not loaded or system has kernel hardening protections like KASLR and SMEP/SMAP enabled.

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW - Requires local access or specialized hardware interaction to trigger.

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Local attackers or malicious users could exploit this to crash systems or potentially escalate privileges.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: MEDIUM

Exploitation requires local access and interaction with the mcp2221 device driver. No public exploits known at this time.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Patched in stable kernel commits: 3c0f8a59f2cc8841ee6653399a77f4f3e6e9a270, 62ac2473553a00229e67bdf3cb023b62cf7f5a9a, 6402116a7b5ec80fa40fd145a80c813019cd555f, 66c8e816f2f2ca4a61b406503bd10bad1b35f72f, 91443c669d280937968f0aa4edefa741cfe35314

Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/3c0f8a59f2cc8841ee6653399a77f4f3e6e9a270

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Update Linux kernel to version containing the fix commits. 2. Reboot system to load patched kernel. 3. Verify driver is no longer vulnerable.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable mcp2221 driver

linux

Prevent loading of the vulnerable hid-mcp2221 kernel module

echo 'blacklist hid-mcp2221' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist-mcp2221.conf
rmmod hid-mcp2221

Restrict device access

linux

Prevent unauthorized users from accessing MCP2221 USB devices

chmod 600 /dev/hidraw*
setfacl -m u:root:rw /dev/hidraw*

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Ensure kernel hardening features are enabled (KASLR, SMEP, SMAP)
Implement strict access controls to prevent unauthorized users from interacting with USB devices

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check if hid-mcp2221 module is loaded: lsmod | grep hid_mcp2221

Check Version:

uname -r

Verify Fix Applied:

Check kernel version includes fix commits or verify driver version after update

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Kernel panic messages
Oops messages in dmesg
System crash/reboot logs

Network Indicators:

None - local vulnerability only

SIEM Query:

source="kernel" AND ("panic" OR "Oops" OR "general protection fault") AND process="hid-mcp2221"

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2022-50131

CVSS v3 Score: 7.8 (HIGH)

CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CWE: CWE-787

EPSS Score: 0.02% exploit probability (3.6th percentile)

Published: June 18, 2025

Last Updated: November 18, 2025

🔗 References

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