CVE-2022-50499
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a double-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's DVB (Digital Video Broadcasting) subsystem. When dvb_register_device() fails during media entity initialization, it can free memory twice, potentially leading to memory corruption. This affects Linux systems using DVB functionality, particularly media servers, set-top boxes, and embedded devices.
💻 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 →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, system crash, or potential privilege escalation leading to full system compromise through memory corruption.
Likely Case
System instability, crashes, or denial of service affecting DVB-related functionality.
If Mitigated
Minimal impact if DVB functionality is disabled or not in use.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires triggering specific DVB device registration failure conditions.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Multiple stable kernel versions with commit hashes provided in references
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0588b12c418c3e4f927ced11f27b02ef4a5bfb07
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to patched version. 2. Check distribution-specific security advisories. 3. Reboot system after kernel update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable DVB support
linuxRemove DVB kernel module support if not needed
modprobe -r dvb_core
echo 'blacklist dvb_core' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Disable or remove DVB hardware devices
- Implement strict access controls to prevent unauthorized DVB device registration
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check kernel version and if DVB modules are loaded: lsmod | grep dvbCheck Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel version is updated and check for absence of double-free errors in kernel logs📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel panic messages
- Double-free warnings in dmesg
- DVB-related error messages
Network Indicators:
- None - local vulnerability
SIEM Query:
source="kernel" AND ("double free" OR "dvb" OR "media_device")🔗 References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0588b12c418c3e4f927ced11f27b02ef4a5bfb07
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/123eddf92a114e03919942641d2c2b1f4ca56ea6
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/6b0d0477fce747d4137aa65856318b55fba72198
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/70bc51303871159796b55ba1a8f16637b46c2511
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/772892b29ac50c2c5e918fc80104aa6ede81d837
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/7dd5a68cdbbbe7fc67ba701cb52ba10d8ba149f8
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/acf984a3718c2458eb9e08b6714490a04f213c58
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/b21f62b49ee9c3e0216d685d9cfd6003e5727271
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e9a78485b658361fab6a5547377be6c1af6f1b3d
