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CVE Record

CVE-2022-50048: netfilter: nf_tables: possible module reference underflow in error path

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: netfilter: nf_tables: possible module reference underflow in error path dst->ops is set on when nft_expr_clone() fails, but module refcount has not been bumped yet, therefore nft_expr_destroy() leads to module reference underflow.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysisunknown

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This is a Linux kernel defect in the netfilter nf_tables firewall subsystem. In a specific failure path, the kernel may decrement a module reference that was never incremented. The source bundle does not state business impact, exploitability, or active exploitation.

Executive priority

Handle through normal kernel patch governance unless vendor guidance raises severity. The current evidence does not justify emergency response, but kernel issues deserve timely remediation because impact details are incomplete.

Technical view

The bug occurs when nft_expr_clone() fails after dst->ops is set but before the module reference count is increased. nft_expr_destroy() then runs on the error path and can cause a module reference underflow. Kernel stable commits are listed as references.

Likely exposure

Exposure is limited to Linux systems running affected kernel versions listed in the CVE data. Distribution exposure may differ because vendors often backport fixes without changing upstream version numbers.

Exploitation context

The CVE is not listed as KEV in the provided bundle. No cited source in the bundle reports active exploitation, exploit availability, prerequisites, or attacker impact. Treat exploitability as unconfirmed from the available evidence.

Researcher notes

The useful anchor is the nf_tables error path around nft_expr_clone() and nft_expr_destroy(). The source bundle identifies reference-underflow behavior but does not provide CVSS, CWE, privilege requirements, crash evidence, or exploitability analysis.

Mitigation direction

  • Check Linux distribution advisories for CVE-2022-50048 coverage.
  • Update to a vendor-supported kernel containing the referenced stable fixes.
  • Prioritize internet-facing and shared Linux infrastructure for kernel review.
  • Track vendor guidance if your distribution has not published status.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Linux kernel versions across servers and appliances.
  • Map kernels to vendor advisories or changelogs for CVE-2022-50048.
  • Verify whether referenced stable commits are present or backported.
  • Document systems still running affected kernel versions.
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

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-2022-50048 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
LinuxLinux8cfd9b0f8515e7c361bba27e2a2684cbd427fe01, 8cfd9b0f8515e7c361bba27e2a2684cbd427fe01, 8cfd9b0f8515e7c361bba27e2a2684cbd427fe01unaffected
LinuxLinux5.11, 0, 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.