Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2022-50252 is a Linux kernel issue in the Intel igb network driver. Under memory pressure, failed allocation can leave a freed queue-vector pointer in place, creating a potential use-after-free. The sources do not provide CVSS, confirmed impact, or active exploitation evidence.
Executive priority
Treat this as a kernel maintenance priority for Linux fleets using igb networking, not an emergency based on current evidence. Escalate if your vendor assigns severity, confirms broader impact, or reports exploitation.
Technical view
The flaw is in igb queue-vector allocation handling. If kzalloc() fails, q_vector may be freed while adapter->q_vector[v_idx] still references it. Kernel stable commits correct the logic by avoiding free unless a new q_vector was allocated.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely on Linux systems running affected kernel versions with the igb Ethernet driver in use. The bundle lists affected Linux kernel versions and multiple stable fix commits, but does not identify distributions or appliances.
Exploitation context
No active exploitation is supported by the provided sources. The CVE is not marked KEV, and the bundle provides no public exploit, attack preconditions, or demonstrated impact beyond a potential use-after-free under memory pressure.
Researcher notes
The strongest evidence is the kernel commit description and stable backports. Missing data includes CVSS, CWE, exploitability conditions, affected distribution package ranges, and observable indicators. Avoid assuming privilege escalation or remote reachability without vendor confirmation.
Mitigation direction
- Update affected Linux kernels through the normal vendor-supported kernel update channel.
- Prioritize systems using the igb Ethernet driver in production or high-availability paths.
- Check distribution advisories for the exact fixed package version.
- Reboot or otherwise activate the updated kernel after maintenance approval.
- If patch timing is unclear, monitor kernel vendor guidance for this CVE.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Linux kernel versions across servers and images.
- Identify hosts using or loading the igb network driver.
- Compare deployed kernels against vendor fixed versions or listed stable commits.
- Confirm the patched kernel is active after reboot.
- Verify vulnerability scanners no longer report CVE-2022-50252.
Public sources used
- CVE Program
- CVE List V5
- Linux stable commit 64ca1969599857143e91aeec4440640656100803
- Linux stable commit 0200f0fbb11e359cc35af72ab10b2ec224e6f633
- Linux stable commit 68e8adbcaf7a8743e473343b38b9dad66e2ac6f3
- Linux stable commit f96bd8adc8adde25390965a8c1ee81b73cb62075
- Linux stable commit 3cb18dea11196fb4a06f78294cec5e61985e1aff
- Linux stable commit 314f7092b27749bdde44c14095b5533afa2a3bc8
- Linux stable commit 6e399577bd397a517df4b938601108c63769ce0a
- Linux stable commit 56483aecf6b22eb7dff6315b3a174688c6ad494c
- Linux stable commit 0668716506ca66f90d395f36ccdaebc3e0e84801
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
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
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CVE-2022-50252 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Unknown
- CVSS
- Not scored
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
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.
Vulnerability timeline
Timeline events are normalized from CVE metadata, CNA source timelines, ADP timelines, and KEV metadata when present.
- CVE reservedCVE Program
The CVE ID was reserved by the assigning CNA.
- CVE publishedCVE Program
The CVE record was published.
- CVE updatedCVE Program
The CVE record metadata indicates this as the latest update time.
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/64ca1969599857143e91aeec4440640656100803CVE reference, Linux
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0200f0fbb11e359cc35af72ab10b2ec224e6f633CVE reference, Linux
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/68e8adbcaf7a8743e473343b38b9dad66e2ac6f3CVE reference, Linux
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/f96bd8adc8adde25390965a8c1ee81b73cb62075CVE reference, Linux
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/3cb18dea11196fb4a06f78294cec5e61985e1affCVE reference, Linux
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/314f7092b27749bdde44c14095b5533afa2a3bc8CVE reference, Linux
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/6e399577bd397a517df4b938601108c63769ce0aCVE reference, Linux
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/56483aecf6b22eb7dff6315b3a174688c6ad494cCVE reference, Linux
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0668716506ca66f90d395f36ccdaebc3e0e84801CVE reference, Linux
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.