CVE-2022-50462
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a memory leak vulnerability in the Linux kernel's MIPS vpe-mt module. When the module exits, it fails to properly free dynamically allocated device names, potentially leading to resource exhaustion. This affects Linux systems with MIPS architecture running vulnerable kernel versions.
💻 Affected Systems
- Linux kernel
📦 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 →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
Sustained exploitation could lead to kernel memory exhaustion, causing system instability, denial of service, or potential kernel panic.
Likely Case
Memory leak gradually consumes kernel resources, potentially leading to performance degradation or system instability over time.
If Mitigated
With proper monitoring and resource limits, impact is limited to potential performance issues rather than complete system failure.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires local access and ability to load/unload kernel modules. No public exploit code identified.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Multiple stable kernel versions referenced in git commits (e.g., 170e9913c2ed5cfc37c0adf0fdbd368d2d8d8168)
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/170e9913c2ed5cfc37c0adf0fdbd368d2d8d8168
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update to patched Linux kernel version from your distribution vendor. 2. For custom kernels, apply the referenced git commits. 3. Reboot system to load new kernel.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable vpe-mt module
linuxPrevent loading of the vulnerable kernel module if not required
echo 'blacklist vpe-mt' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf
rmmod vpe-mt
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Monitor kernel memory usage and system stability metrics
- Restrict local user access and kernel module loading capabilities
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if vpe-mt module is loaded: lsmod | grep vpe-mt. Check kernel version against patched versions.Check Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel version is updated and vpe-mt module version matches patched source📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel oops messages
- Memory allocation failures in kernel logs
- System instability after module operations
Network Indicators:
- None - local vulnerability only
SIEM Query:
source="kernel" AND ("vpe-mt" OR "memory allocation failure" OR "kernel panic")🔗 References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/170e9913c2ed5cfc37c0adf0fdbd368d2d8d8168
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/48d42f4464d713fbdd79f334fdcd6e5be534cc67
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/5822e8cc84ee37338ab0bdc3124f6eec04dc232d
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/851ae5640875f06494e40002cd503b11a634c6fb
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/9d180e0bb21c57bd6cca2adeb672d3b522e910b5
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/ab3d47c1fd0202821abd473ca87580faafd47847
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/b191dde84e40624d5577f64db0ec922c5c0ec57c
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/b3325a443525e3b89151879b834519b21c5e3011
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e820a8192ff68570100347855b567512aec43819
