CVE-2022-50553 – This is an out-of-bounds write vulnerability in... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2022-50553?

CVE-2022-50553 has a CVSS score of 5.5 (MEDIUM). This is an out-of-bounds write vulnerability in the Linux kernel's tracing subsystem that can cause kernel panic or potential privilege escalation. It affects Linux systems using synthetic events with many parameters in tracing/hist triggers. The vulnerability allows local attackers to crash the system or potentially execute arbitrary code.

📋 TL;DR

This is an out-of-bounds write vulnerability in the Linux kernel's tracing subsystem that can cause kernel panic or potential privilege escalation. It affects Linux systems using synthetic events with many parameters in tracing/hist triggers. The vulnerability allows local attackers to crash the system or potentially execute arbitrary code.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Linux kernel

Versions: Kernel versions before fixes in stable releases (specific commits listed in references)

Operating Systems: Linux distributions using affected kernel versions

Default Config Vulnerable: ✅ No

Notes: Only vulnerable if CONFIG_TRACING and CONFIG_HIST_TRIGGERS are enabled, and synthetic events with >16 parameters are created.

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Kernel panic leading to denial of service, or potential privilege escalation to root via kernel memory corruption.

🟠

Likely Case

Kernel panic causing system crash and denial of service when synthetic events with many parameters are created.

🟢

If Mitigated

No impact if tracing subsystem is disabled or synthetic events aren't used.

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW - Requires local access to trigger via tracing interface.

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Local users can crash systems or potentially escalate privileges.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ⚠️ Yes

Weaponized: LIKELY

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: LOW

Proof of concept included in CVE description shows exact trigger commands. Requires local shell access to /sys/kernel/tracing interface.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Fixed in stable kernel releases via commits referenced in CVE

Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/04241956ce8825ff06e06e4083e7b692e9d5f712

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Update Linux kernel to patched version from your distribution. 2. Reboot system to load new kernel. 3. Verify kernel version with 'uname -r'.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable tracing subsystem

linux

Prevent access to vulnerable code by disabling kernel tracing features

echo 0 > /sys/kernel/tracing/tracing_on
echo 0 > /sys/kernel/debug/tracing/tracing_on

Restrict access to tracing interface

linux

Limit which users can access tracing debugfs interface

chmod 700 /sys/kernel/tracing
chmod 700 /sys/kernel/debug/tracing

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Restrict shell access to trusted users only
Disable CONFIG_TRACING and CONFIG_HIST_TRIGGERS in kernel config and rebuild

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check kernel version and if /sys/kernel/tracing exists and is accessible

Check Version:

uname -r

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify kernel version is after patched commits and attempt to reproduce trigger commands from CVE description

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Kernel panic messages
Oops messages in dmesg
Failed strcmp calls in kernel logs

Network Indicators:

None - local exploit only

SIEM Query:

search 'kernel panic' OR 'Oops' OR 'BUG:' in system logs

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2022-50553

CVSS v3 Score: 5.5 (MEDIUM)

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

CWE: CWE-787

Published: October 7, 2025

Last Updated: February 5, 2026

🤖 AI-assisted analysis, reviewed for accuracy

🔗 References

📤 Share & Export

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