CVE-2022-50220: usbnet: Fix linkwatch use-after-free on disconnect
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
usbnet: Fix linkwatch use-after-free on disconnect
usbnet uses the work usbnet_deferred_kevent() to perform tasks which may
sleep. On disconnect, completion of the work was originally awaited in
->ndo_stop(). But in 2003, that was moved to ->disconnect() by historic
commit "[PATCH] USB: usbnet, prevent exotic rtnl deadlock":
https://git.kernel.org/tglx/history/c/0f138bbfd83c
The change was made because back then, the kernel's workqueue
implementation did not allow waiting for a single work. One had to wait
for completion of *all* work by calling flush_scheduled_work(), and that
could deadlock when waiting for usbnet_deferred_kevent() with rtnl_mutex
held in ->ndo_stop().
The commit solved one problem but created another: It causes a
use-after-free in USB Ethernet drivers aqc111.c, asix_devices.c,
ax88179_178a.c, ch9200.c and smsc75xx.c:
* If the drivers receive a link change interrupt immediately before
disconnect, they raise EVENT_LINK_RESET in their (non-sleepable)
->status() callback and schedule usbnet_deferred_kevent().
* usbnet_deferred_kevent() invokes the driver's ->link_reset() callback,
which calls netif_carrier_{on,off}().
* That in turn schedules the work linkwatch_event().
Because usbnet_deferred_kevent() is awaited after unregister_netdev(),
netif_carrier_{on,off}() may operate on an unregistered netdev and
linkwatch_event() may run after free_netdev(), causing a use-after-free.
In 2010, usbnet was changed to only wait for a single instance of
usbnet_deferred_kevent() instead of *all* work by commit 23f333a2bfaf
("drivers/net: don't use flush_scheduled_work()").
Unfortunately the commit neglected to move the wait back to
->ndo_stop(). Rectify that omission at long last.
Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This Linux kernel flaw can cause a use-after-free when certain USB Ethernet devices disconnect after a link change. The business impact is stability and potential kernel memory-safety risk on systems using affected usbnet-based drivers. Sources do not provide CVSS, exploitation evidence, or a vendor workaround beyond kernel fixes.
Executive priority
Treat as a targeted kernel maintenance issue, not an internet-wide emergency. Prioritize patching systems that use USB Ethernet adapters, embedded Linux, kiosks, labs, or operational technology where unexpected kernel crashes would disrupt service.
Technical view
usbnet may defer link reset work, call netif_carrier_on/off after unregister_netdev(), and allow linkwatch_event() to run after free_netdev(). The CVE names aqc111, asix_devices, ax88179_178a, ch9200, and smsc75xx. The fix moves waiting for usbnet_deferred_kevent() back into ndo_stop().
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely on Linux systems using affected USB Ethernet drivers and kernels in the listed affected ranges. Systems without those devices or drivers appear less exposed based on the source bundle.
Exploitation context
The provided sources do not report active exploitation, and the CVE is not marked KEV. The described trigger involves a link change interrupt immediately before USB Ethernet disconnect. No public exploit details are included in the supplied evidence.
Researcher notes
Evidence is strong for root cause and affected driver classes, but incomplete for severity scoring and exploitability. The source bundle lists affected Linux versions and stable kernel commits, yet provides no CVSS vector, CWE, exploit status, or downstream vendor package mapping.
Mitigation direction
Update to a vendor-supported kernel containing the referenced stable fixes.
Check Linux distribution advisories for the exact fixed package version.
Prioritize hosts using the named USB Ethernet drivers.
Avoid relying on unsupported kernels in the affected version ranges.
Track upstream stable commits referenced by the CVE record.
Validation and detection
Inventory Linux kernel versions across affected fleets.
Identify systems loading aqc111, asix, ax88179_178a, ch9200, or smsc75xx drivers.
Confirm patched kernels include the referenced usbnet fix commits.
Review crash logs for kernel use-after-free symptoms around USB Ethernet disconnects.
Verify vendor advisories before declaring systems remediated.
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Potential ATT&CK relevance
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CVE-2022-50220 mapping review
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3Timeline events
0ADP providers
10Source links
Vulnerability timeline
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CVE reservedCVE Program
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CVE publishedCVE Program
The CVE record was published.
Jun 18, 2025, 11:03 UTC (UTC+00:00)
CVE updatedCVE Program
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