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CVE Record

CVE-2022-49501: usbnet: Run unregister_netdev() before unbind() again

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: usbnet: Run unregister_netdev() before unbind() again Commit 2c9d6c2b871d ("usbnet: run unbind() before unregister_netdev()") sought to fix a use-after-free on disconnect of USB Ethernet adapters. It turns out that a different fix is necessary to address the issue: https://lore.kernel.org/netdev/18b3541e5372bc9b9fc733d422f4e698c089077c.1650177997.git.lukas@wunner.de/ So the commit was not necessary. The commit made binding and unbinding of USB Ethernet asymmetrical: Before, usbnet_probe() first invoked the ->bind() callback and then register_netdev(). usbnet_disconnect() mirrored that by first invoking unregister_netdev() and then ->unbind(). Since the commit, the order in usbnet_disconnect() is reversed and no longer mirrors usbnet_probe(). One consequence is that a PHY disconnected (and stopped) in ->unbind() is afterwards stopped once more by unregister_netdev() as it closes the netdev before unregistering. That necessitates a contortion in ->stop() because the PHY may only be stopped if it hasn't already been disconnected. Reverting the commit allows making the call to phy_stop() unconditional in ->stop().

HighCVSS 7.8Not KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This Linux kernel issue affects USB Ethernet handling. A previous change altered disconnect order and could contribute to unsafe use-after-free behavior. The risk is local rather than internet-facing, but the CVSS score is high because successful exploitation could affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

Executive priority

Treat as high-priority for Linux fleets with local-user risk or USB Ethernet use. It is not presented as internet-exploited in the supplied evidence, so prioritize after remotely exploitable or KEV-listed issues unless local exposure is significant.

Technical view

The usbnet disconnect path must unregister the network device before driver unbind, matching probe order. The vulnerable ordering can leave teardown state inconsistent around PHY stop/disconnect handling. Sources identify CWE-416 and local, low-complexity, low-privilege impact with high CIA impact.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most likely on Linux systems running affected kernel versions or downstream builds that include the vulnerable usbnet change, especially where USB Ethernet adapters are used. Pure remote network exposure is not supported by the supplied sources.

Exploitation context

The bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or cited active exploitation. CVSS indicates local access with low privileges and no user interaction. Evidence supports serious local impact, not remote unauthenticated exploitation.

Researcher notes

The affected-version data is limited and partly commit-based. Validate against distro backports rather than only upstream version numbers. The core condition is usbnet teardown ordering around unregister_netdev, unbind, and PHY stop handling.

Mitigation direction

  • Update to a vendor kernel containing the referenced stable fixes.
  • Check Linux distribution advisories for backported usbnet fixes.
  • Prioritize systems using USB Ethernet adapters or exposed to untrusted local users.
  • If patching is delayed, reduce untrusted local access to affected systems.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory kernel versions against vendor advisories and listed fixed commits.
  • Identify systems using usbnet-based USB Ethernet adapters.
  • Confirm downstream kernels include the stable fix or equivalent backport.
  • Review endpoint exposure to untrusted local users or device access.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
6

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

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ATT&CK lookup starting points

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cwe · low confidence lookup

CWE-416: Exact CWE lookup

Use the exact CWE identifier as the starting point before reviewing related ATT&CK behavior. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.

Open ATT&CK lookup
cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2022-49501 mapping review

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Open ATT&CK lookup
Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
High
CVSS
7.8 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

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

Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

1CVSS vectors
3Timeline events
1ADP providers
5Source links

SSVC decision data

CISA-ADPCISA Coordinator
Timestamp
Version
2.0.3
Exploitation: noneAutomatable: noTechnical Impact: total

CVSS vector scores

1 official score

We collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.

ScoreVersionSeverityVectorExploitImpactSource
7.8CVSS 3.1HighCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H1.85.9CISA-ADP

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

7.8High
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2022-49501Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

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

Attack Vector
NetworkAdjacentLocalPhysical
Attack Complexity
LowHigh
Privileges Required
NoneLowHigh
User Interaction
NoneRequired
Scope
ChangedUnchanged
Confidentiality Impact
HighLowNone
Integrity Impact
HighLowNone
Availability Impact
HighLowNone

Vulnerability timeline

Timeline events are normalized from CVE metadata, CNA source timelines, ADP timelines, and KEV metadata when present.

  1. CVE reservedCVE Program

    The CVE ID was reserved by the assigning CNA.

  2. CVE publishedCVE Program

    The CVE record was published.

  3. CVE updatedCVE Program

    The CVE record metadata indicates this as the latest update time.

ADP provider summaries

CISA-ADPCISA ADP Vulnrichment
cvssV3_1other:ssvc
Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinux2c9d6c2b871d5841ce26ede3e81fd37e2e33c42c, 2c9d6c2b871d5841ce26ede3e81fd37e2e33c42c, 2c9d6c2b871d5841ce26ede3e81fd37e2e33c42c, 2c9d6c2b871d5841ce26ede3e81fd37e2e33c42cunaffected
LinuxLinux5.14, 0, 5.15.46, 5.17.14, 5.18.3, 5.19affected
Weakness

CWE details

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.

CWE-416 · source CWE mapping

Use After Free

Use After Free represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.