Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This is a Linux kernel Wi-Fi bug where freed association data could be reused in mac80211. The CVSS score is high because successful abuse could affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The published vector is local and requires low privileges, so urgency depends on affected kernel deployment and whether Wi-Fi/mac80211 is used.
Executive priority
Treat as a high-priority patching item for Linux fleets with Wi-Fi capability, especially mobile and embedded devices. It is not currently supported as actively exploited by the provided sources, so prioritize based on affected kernel presence and local-user exposure.
Technical view
CVE-2022-50413 is a CWE-416 use-after-free in Linux mac80211. The fix states assoc_data had already been freed, so the code needed another copy of the AP or MLD address. Sources list Linux 6.0-era versions as affected and reference stable kernel fixes.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely on Linux systems running affected kernel versions with the mac80211 Wi-Fi stack present or enabled. Servers without Wi-Fi hardware are less likely to be exposed, but kernel package lineage still needs confirmation through distribution advisories.
Exploitation context
The source bundle does not cite active exploitation, and KEV is false. The CVSS vector is local, low complexity, low privileges, and no user interaction. Evidence does not support describing this as remotely exploitable.
Researcher notes
The available evidence is limited to the CVE record, CVSS data, and kernel stable references. The commit message identifies a post-free assoc_data access and replacement address copy, but the bundle does not provide exploitability details, affected driver lists, or distribution-specific fixed package versions.
Mitigation direction
- Apply vendor or distribution kernel updates containing the stable mac80211 fix.
- Prioritize laptops, workstations, appliances, and embedded Linux systems using Wi-Fi.
- Check kernel vendor guidance before relying on backport assumptions.
- Reduce unnecessary local account access on affected systems.
- Disable unused Wi-Fi interfaces where operationally acceptable.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Linux kernel versions across endpoints, servers, and embedded devices.
- Identify systems using mac80211 or Wi-Fi hardware.
- Compare installed kernels against vendor advisories and referenced stable fixes.
- Confirm patched systems have rebooted into the updated kernel.
- Track exceptions for devices awaiting vendor firmware or kernel updates.
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-416: 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-2022-50413 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
- High
- CVSS
- 7.8 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/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:H/I:H/A:H1.85.9Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
7.8HighVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Source materials
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.
Use After Free
Use After Free represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.