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CVE-2022-50342: floppy: Fix memory leak in do_floppy_init()

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: floppy: Fix memory leak in do_floppy_init() A memory leak was reported when floppy_alloc_disk() failed in do_floppy_init(). unreferenced object 0xffff888115ed25a0 (size 8): comm "modprobe", pid 727, jiffies 4295051278 (age 25.529s) hex dump (first 8 bytes): 00 ac 67 5b 81 88 ff ff ..g[.... backtrace: [<000000007f457abb>] __kmalloc_node+0x4c/0xc0 [<00000000a87bfa9e>] blk_mq_realloc_tag_set_tags.part.0+0x6f/0x180 [<000000006f02e8b1>] blk_mq_alloc_tag_set+0x573/0x1130 [<0000000066007fd7>] 0xffffffffc06b8b08 [<0000000081f5ac40>] do_one_initcall+0xd0/0x4f0 [<00000000e26d04ee>] do_init_module+0x1a4/0x680 [<000000001bb22407>] load_module+0x6249/0x7110 [<00000000ad31ac4d>] __do_sys_finit_module+0x140/0x200 [<000000007bddca46>] do_syscall_64+0x35/0x80 [<00000000b5afec39>] entry_SYSCALL_64_after_hwframe+0x46/0xb0 unreferenced object 0xffff88810fc30540 (size 32): comm "modprobe", pid 727, jiffies 4295051278 (age 25.529s) hex dump (first 32 bytes): 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 ................ 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 ................ backtrace: [<000000007f457abb>] __kmalloc_node+0x4c/0xc0 [<000000006b91eab4>] blk_mq_alloc_tag_set+0x393/0x1130 [<0000000066007fd7>] 0xffffffffc06b8b08 [<0000000081f5ac40>] do_one_initcall+0xd0/0x4f0 [<00000000e26d04ee>] do_init_module+0x1a4/0x680 [<000000001bb22407>] load_module+0x6249/0x7110 [<00000000ad31ac4d>] __do_sys_finit_module+0x140/0x200 [<000000007bddca46>] do_syscall_64+0x35/0x80 [<00000000b5afec39>] entry_SYSCALL_64_after_hwframe+0x46/0xb0 If the floppy_alloc_disk() failed, disks of current drive will not be set, thus the lastest allocated set->tag cannot be freed in the error handling path. A simple call graph shown as below: floppy_module_init() floppy_init() do_floppy_init() for (drive = 0; drive < N_DRIVE; drive++) blk_mq_alloc_tag_set() blk_mq_alloc_tag_set_tags() blk_mq_realloc_tag_set_tags() # set->tag allocated floppy_alloc_disk() blk_mq_alloc_disk() # error occurred, disks failed to allocated ->out_put_disk: for (drive = 0; drive < N_DRIVE; drive++) if (!disks[drive][0]) # the last disks is not set and loop break break; blk_mq_free_tag_set() # the latest allocated set->tag leaked Fix this problem by free the set->tag of current drive before jump to error handling path. [efremov: added stable list, changed title]

MediumCVSS 5.5Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This is a Linux kernel floppy-driver memory leak. A local user who can trigger the vulnerable path could cause kernel memory exhaustion, affecting availability rather than data theft or tampering. The source does not show active exploitation.

Executive priority

Treat as a routine but real availability issue. Patch through normal kernel maintenance, faster on shared systems, development hosts, or environments with untrusted local users.

Technical view

The flaw is CWE-401 in do_floppy_init(). If floppy_alloc_disk() fails after blk_mq_alloc_tag_set() allocated tag data, error handling can skip freeing the latest tag set. CVSS is 5.5, local, low complexity, low privileges, no user interaction, availability impact high.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most relevant on Linux systems with the floppy driver present and loadable. The source lists Linux kernel versions and stable commits, but distribution backport status must be verified against vendor advisories.

Exploitation context

The CVSS vector indicates local, low-privilege exploitation with no user interaction. CISA KEV is false in the source bundle, and no cited source claims public exploitation or exploit availability.

Researcher notes

The evidence supports a memory leak during floppy module initialization failure, not confidentiality or integrity compromise. The affected-version data is limited in the bundle, so rely on kernel stable commits and distro advisories for exact exposure.

Mitigation direction

  • Update to a vendor kernel containing the linked stable fixes.
  • Check distribution advisories for backported fixes to your exact kernel package.
  • Avoid loading the floppy driver where it is unnecessary, following vendor guidance.
  • Prioritize systems where untrusted local users can load or trigger kernel modules.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Linux kernel versions and package build revisions across hosts.
  • Check whether the floppy driver is present, built-in, or loadable.
  • Map installed kernels to vendor advisories or the linked stable commits.
  • Review kernel logs for floppy module load attempts and memory pressure events.
Prepared
Confidence
high
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

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ATT&CK lookup starting points

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cwe · low confidence lookup

CWE-401: Exact CWE lookup

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cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2022-50342 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Medium
CVSS
5.5 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

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.

1CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
5Source links

CVSS vector scores

1 official score

We collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.

ScoreVersionSeverityVectorExploitImpactSource
5.5CVSS 3.1MediumCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H1.83.6Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

5.5Medium
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2022-50342Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

Attack Vector
NetworkAdjacentLocalPhysical
Attack Complexity
LowHigh
Privileges Required
NoneLowHigh
User Interaction
NoneRequired
Scope
ChangedUnchanged
Confidentiality Impact
HighLowNone
Integrity Impact
HighLowNone
Availability Impact
HighLowNone

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinux302cfee150291c6cd85b1ca197d062d0b423d09c, 302cfee150291c6cd85b1ca197d062d0b423d09c, 302cfee150291c6cd85b1ca197d062d0b423d09c, 302cfee150291c6cd85b1ca197d062d0b423d09cunaffected
LinuxLinux5.11, 0, 5.15.86, 6.0.16, 6.1.2, 6.2affected
Weakness

CWE details

CWE-401

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

CWE-401 · source CWE mapping

Missing Release of Memory after Effective Lifetime

Missing Release of Memory after Effective Lifetime represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.

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