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CVE Record

CVE-2022-50042: net: genl: fix error path memory leak in policy dumping

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net: genl: fix error path memory leak in policy dumping If construction of the array of policies fails when recording non-first policy we need to unwind. netlink_policy_dump_add_policy() itself also needs fixing as it currently gives up on error without recording the allocated pointer in the pstate pointer.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysisunknown

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2022-50042 is a Linux kernel memory leak in an error path for generic netlink policy dumping. The public record does not provide CVSS, CWE, or confirmed real-world exploitation. Treat it as a kernel maintenance risk: prioritize supported kernel updates, especially on systems running versions identified by the CVE record.

Executive priority

Handle through the normal kernel patch program unless vendor guidance raises severity. No source provided here confirms active exploitation, but kernel memory leaks can still create reliability risk on critical Linux infrastructure.

Technical view

The resolved bug is in net/genl policy dumping. If policy array construction fails while recording a non-first policy, cleanup did not fully unwind allocated state. netlink_policy_dump_add_policy also returned on error without recording the allocated pointer, causing a leak.

Likely exposure

Exposure is limited to Linux systems running affected kernel versions or downstream builds that include the vulnerable netlink policy dumping code. The source bundle lists Linux kernel versions and stable commits, but exact distro package status must be confirmed from each vendor.

Exploitation context

The source bundle does not show KEV listing, public exploitation, exploitability details, required privileges, or an attack path. The described impact is a memory leak on an error path, not confirmed code execution or privilege escalation.

Researcher notes

The evidence supports a cleanup failure in generic netlink policy dumping. Public metadata is incomplete: no CVSS, CWE, privilege requirements, reachable API details, or exploit status are provided. Avoid claiming denial of service beyond the memory-leak condition unless vendor analysis confirms it.

Mitigation direction

  • Apply vendor kernel updates containing the referenced stable fixes.
  • If no package fix exists, follow the distribution vendor's CVE guidance.
  • Prioritize internet-facing and multi-tenant Linux hosts first.
  • Reboot systems if required for the fixed kernel to take effect.
  • Track exception systems until their kernel is replaced or vendor-cleared.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory running Linux kernel versions across servers and appliances.
  • Map each kernel package to its distribution CVE advisory status.
  • Confirm fixed stable commits are included in custom kernels.
  • Verify updated systems booted into the corrected kernel.
  • Review monitoring for unusual kernel memory pressure where exposure remains.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
6

Public sources used

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

These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.

ATT&CK lookup starting points

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CVE-2022-50042 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Unknown
CVSS
Not scored
Known Exploited
No
Published
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.

0CVSS vectors
3Timeline events
0ADP providers
5Source links

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.

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinux50a896cf2d6f34e884a00139d6e6012c9833ace3, 50a896cf2d6f34e884a00139d6e6012c9833ace3, 50a896cf2d6f34e884a00139d6e6012c9833ace3, 50a896cf2d6f34e884a00139d6e6012c9833ace3unaffected
LinuxLinux5.10, 0, 5.10.138, 5.15.63, 5.19.4, 6.0affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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