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CVE Record

CVE-2022-50642: platform/chrome: cros_ec_typec: zero out stale pointers

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: platform/chrome: cros_ec_typec: zero out stale pointers `cros_typec_get_switch_handles` allocates four pointers when obtaining type-c switch handles. These pointers are all freed if failing to obtain any of them; therefore, pointers in `port` become stale. The stale pointers eventually cause use-after-free or double free in later code paths. Zeroing out all pointer fields after freeing to eliminate these stale pointers.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysisunknown

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This is a Linux kernel bug in the ChromeOS EC Type-C driver. When an error occurs while collecting Type-C switch handles, freed pointers can remain in memory and later be reused or freed again. That can cause kernel instability and may have security impact, but public severity and CVSS data are not provided.

Executive priority

Treat as a targeted kernel maintenance issue, not an internet-wide emergency based on current evidence. Prioritize patch verification for ChromeOS-like or embedded Linux fleets using USB Type-C EC hardware. Business urgency is moderate only where that hardware and driver path are present.

Technical view

CVE-2022-50642 affects platform/chrome cros_ec_typec. In cros_typec_get_switch_handles, four allocated pointer fields in the port structure are freed on partial failure but not cleared. Later paths can hit use-after-free or double-free. The upstream resolution zeros the pointer fields after freeing.

Likely exposure

Exposure appears limited to Linux systems using the cros_ec_typec ChromeOS EC Type-C path. Generic Linux servers or desktops without this driver or hardware path may not be exposed. The provided affected version data is incomplete and should be verified against distro kernels.

Exploitation context

No active exploitation is reported in the provided sources, and the CVE is not listed as KEV. The source material does not describe exploitability, required privileges, attack vector, or practical impact beyond use-after-free or double-free in later kernel code paths.

Researcher notes

The public record lacks CVSS, CWE, attack vector, and exploitability details. The bug class is memory safety in kernel driver error handling. Analysis should focus on reachable failure paths in cros_typec_get_switch_handles and downstream cleanup paths, without assuming broad exposure.

Mitigation direction

  • Apply kernel updates that include the referenced upstream stable fixes.
  • Check your Linux distribution’s advisory for backported fixes and affected kernel builds.
  • Prioritize systems using ChromeOS EC Type-C hardware or cros_ec_typec support.
  • If no vendor fix is available, follow vendor guidance and assess disabling unused affected functionality.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Linux kernel versions and distribution patch levels.
  • Check whether cros_ec_typec support is built, loaded, or relevant to the hardware.
  • Confirm the running kernel includes one of the referenced stable fix commits or a backport.
  • Review vendor advisories because distro kernels may not match upstream version numbers.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
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

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.

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CVE-2022-50642 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Unknown
CVSS
Not scored
Known Exploited
No
Published
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.

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

CVSS and timeline data

No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinuxf28adb41dab4a2795fd959750df57adffd2bb0be, f28adb41dab4a2795fd959750df57adffd2bb0be, f28adb41dab4a2795fd959750df57adffd2bb0be, f28adb41dab4a2795fd959750df57adffd2bb0beunaffected
LinuxLinux5.9, 0, 5.15.86, 6.0.16, 6.1.2, 6.2affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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