Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2022-50376 is a Linux kernel OrangeFS memory leak triggered around OrangeFS module initialization and removal. The cited impact is availability only, not data theft or tampering. Business urgency is highest for systems that load or permit OrangeFS kernel support, especially shared or multi-user Linux environments.
Executive priority
Treat this as a moderate availability issue. It is not supported as remotely exploitable or actively exploited in the supplied evidence, but it matters for Linux fleets where local users can stress kernel resources or where uptime is critical.
Technical view
The flaw is CWE-401 in orangefs_kernel_debug_init() and orangefs_client_debug_init(). Dynamic allocation during debugfs initialization could leave leaked memory when the OrangeFS module is inserted and removed. The kernel fix replaces dynamic buffers with global buffers. CVSS 3.1 is 5.5: local, low complexity, privileges required, high availability impact.
Likely exposure
Exposure appears limited to Linux systems with affected kernel versions and OrangeFS module code present or loadable. The record does not identify specific distributions, cloud images, or appliances, so asset owners should map vendor kernels to the referenced upstream stable commits.
Exploitation context
The CVE is not listed as KEV in the provided bundle, and no cited source claims active exploitation. The CVSS vector indicates local access with privileges required and no user interaction. The practical risk is resource exhaustion or denial of service, not confidentiality or integrity compromise.
Researcher notes
The source evidence is narrow: a kernel memory leak report and stable commit references. The affected-version data is present but not distribution-specific. Validate through kernel source, distro backport metadata, and whether OrangeFS is reachable in the target operating environment.
Mitigation direction
- Update to a Linux kernel containing the referenced stable OrangeFS fixes.
- Use distribution or vendor advisories to identify fixed package versions.
- If OrangeFS is unused, follow vendor-supported guidance to disable or avoid loading it.
- Limit local accounts and module-management privileges on shared Linux systems.
- Prioritize remediation where untrusted users have local access.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Linux kernels and compare them with vendor guidance for CVE-2022-50376.
- Check whether OrangeFS support is installed, enabled, or loadable on relevant hosts.
- Confirm deployed kernels include one of the referenced stable commits or vendor backports.
- Review local user access on systems where affected kernels remain deployed.
Public sources used
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.
CWE-401: Exact CWE lookup
Use the exact CWE identifier as the starting point before reviewing related ATT&CK behavior. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2022-50376 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
- 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
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.
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe 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.
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H1.83.6Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
5.5MediumVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/bdc2d33fa2324b1f5ab5b701cda45ee0b2384409CVE reference
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/a076490b0211990ec6764328c22cb744dd782bd9CVE reference
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/c8853267289c55b1acbe4dc3641374887584834dCVE reference
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/786e5296f9e3b045d5ff9098514ce7b8ba1d890dCVE reference
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0cd303aad220fafa595e0ed593e99aa51b90412bCVE reference
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/31720a2b109b3080eb77e97b8f6f50a27b4ae599CVE reference
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.
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.