CVE-2022-50305 – This CVE describes a use-after-free vulnerabili... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2022-50305?

CVE-2022-50305 has a CVSS score of 7.8 (HIGH). This CVE describes a use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's ASoC (Audio System on Chip) driver for ES8336 audio codecs. When removing the driver, improper work cancellation could allow callback functions to access freed memory, potentially leading to system crashes or kernel exploitation. This affects Linux systems using the affected driver.

📋 TL;DR

This CVE describes a use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's ASoC (Audio System on Chip) driver for ES8336 audio codecs. When removing the driver, improper work cancellation could allow callback functions to access freed memory, potentially leading to system crashes or kernel exploitation. This affects Linux systems using the affected driver.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Linux kernel with ASoC sof_es8336 driver

Versions: Linux kernel versions containing the vulnerable driver code before the fix commits

Operating Systems: Linux distributions using affected kernel versions

Default Config Vulnerable: ✅ No

Notes: Only vulnerable if the sof_es8336 driver is loaded and used. Many systems may not use this specific audio driver.

📦 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...

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 →

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 memory corruption leading to privilege escalation, denial of service, or arbitrary code execution in kernel context.

🟠

Likely Case

System crash or kernel panic resulting in denial of service, requiring system reboot.

🟢

If Mitigated

No impact if the vulnerable driver is not loaded or the system is patched.

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW - This is a local kernel driver vulnerability requiring local access.

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Could be exploited by malicious local users or through other vulnerabilities to escalate privileges.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: MEDIUM

Exploitation requires local access and specific conditions where the driver is being removed. Timing-sensitive race condition.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Kernel versions containing commits 1b41beaa7a58467505ec3023af8aad74f878b888, 390a1a98288a53b2e7555097d83c6e55d579b166, or b85102a3aa3810a09eb55692e8cd6ffbb304e57d

Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/1b41beaa7a58467505ec3023af8aad74f878b888

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Update Linux kernel to patched version from your distribution. 2. Reboot system to load new kernel. 3. Verify driver is no longer vulnerable.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable sof_es8336 driver

linux

Prevent loading of vulnerable driver module

echo 'blacklist sof_es8336' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf
rmmod sof_es8336

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Restrict local user access to systems using vulnerable driver
Monitor for kernel panic/crash events related to audio subsystem

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check if sof_es8336 driver is loaded: lsmod | grep sof_es8336

Check Version:

uname -r

Verify Fix Applied:

Check kernel version includes fix commits or verify driver version

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Kernel panic messages
Use-after-free kernel oops
Audio subsystem crash logs

Network Indicators:

None - local vulnerability

SIEM Query:

Search for kernel panic events or use-after-free warnings in system logs

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2022-50305

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-416

EPSS Score: 0.01% exploit probability (1.1th percentile)

Published: September 15, 2025

Last Updated: December 4, 2025

🔗 References

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🔗 Related Vulnerabilities

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