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CVE Record

CVE-2022-50043: net: fix potential refcount leak in ndisc_router_discovery()

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net: fix potential refcount leak in ndisc_router_discovery() The issue happens on specific paths in the function. After both the object `rt` and `neigh` are grabbed successfully, when `lifetime` is nonzero but the metric needs change, the function just deletes the route and set `rt` to NULL. Then, it may try grabbing `rt` and `neigh` again if above conditions hold. The function simply overwrite `neigh` if succeeds or returns if fails, without decreasing the reference count of previous `neigh`. This may result in memory leaks. Fix it by decrementing the reference count of `neigh` in place.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysisunknown

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2022-50043 is a Linux kernel IPv6 networking bug that can leak memory references in router discovery handling. The public record describes a resolved memory leak, not confirmed remote code execution. Business urgency depends on kernel exposure and vendor packaging, especially systems processing IPv6 router advertisements from untrusted networks.

Executive priority

Treat this as a kernel maintenance and availability risk until vendor severity is confirmed. It does not currently justify emergency action based on the provided evidence, but internet-facing or untrusted-network Linux systems should be checked promptly for patched kernels.

Technical view

The issue is in ndisc_router_discovery(). After rt and neigh are acquired, a nonzero lifetime plus route metric change can delete the route and retry acquisition while overwriting neigh without releasing the previous reference. The fix decrements the neigh reference count in place.

Likely exposure

Exposure is limited to Linux systems running affected kernel versions or downstream builds containing the vulnerable ndisc_router_discovery() logic. The bundle lists Linux kernel versions including 5.12, 5.15.63, 5.19.4, and 6.0 as affected, but distro backports are not described.

Exploitation context

The CVE is not listed as KEV in the provided bundle, and no cited source states active exploitation. The described impact is a memory leak under specific IPv6 neighbor discovery router discovery paths. Public evidence is insufficient to claim exploitability, impact scale, or attacker requirements beyond the affected code path.

Researcher notes

Focus review on IPv6 neighbor discovery route update paths in ndisc_router_discovery(). The public description supports a refcount leak involving neigh when rt is deleted and reacquired. The bundle does not provide CVSS, CWE, proof-of-concept details, or confirmed exploit reports.

Mitigation direction

  • Check Linux vendor advisories for kernel packages containing the cited stable fixes.
  • Upgrade affected kernels through supported distribution update channels.
  • Prioritize systems exposed to untrusted IPv6 router advertisements.
  • If patch timing is unclear, follow vendor guidance for interim controls.
  • Avoid relying on upstream version numbers alone; confirm distro backports.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Linux kernel versions across servers, appliances, and containers with host kernel dependency.
  • Compare running kernels against vendor advisories and the cited stable commits.
  • Identify systems processing IPv6 router discovery on untrusted networks.
  • Confirm patched packages are installed and active after reboot.
  • Document exceptions where vendor status is unavailable or unsupported.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
5

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

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CVE-2022-50043 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
4Source 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
LinuxLinux6b2e04bc240fe9be9e690059f710e9f95346d34d, 6b2e04bc240fe9be9e690059f710e9f95346d34d, 6b2e04bc240fe9be9e690059f710e9f95346d34dunaffected
LinuxLinux5.12, 0, 5.15.63, 5.19.4, 6.0affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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