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CVE Record

CVE-2022-50660: wifi: ipw2200: fix memory leak in ipw_wdev_init()

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: wifi: ipw2200: fix memory leak in ipw_wdev_init() In the error path of ipw_wdev_init(), exception value is returned, and the memory applied for in the function is not released. Also the memory is not released in ipw_pci_probe(). As a result, memory leakage occurs. So memory release needs to be added to the error path of ipw_wdev_init().

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysislow

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2022-50660 is a Linux kernel memory leak in the ipw2200 Wi-Fi driver. It occurs on an initialization error path, where allocated memory is not released. The public record does not provide CVSS, active exploitation, or business-impact evidence. Systems using this legacy Wi-Fi driver deserve routine kernel hygiene, not emergency response.

Executive priority

Treat as low-priority patch management unless your environment uses affected Linux kernels with ipw2200 Wi-Fi hardware. Address through normal kernel update cycles and confirm with Linux distribution guidance.

Technical view

The Linux kernel ipw2200 driver’s ipw_wdev_init() can return an error without freeing memory. The same memory is not released in ipw_pci_probe(), causing leakage. The fix adds memory release on the error path. Public references are Linux stable commits; severity and CWE are not specified in the provided CVE data.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most likely on Linux systems with the ipw2200 wireless driver present and reachable during device initialization. Servers, containers, and systems without that hardware or driver are likely less exposed. Exact exposure depends on distro kernel backports and configuration.

Exploitation context

The source bundle does not identify active exploitation, public exploit availability, or KEV listing. The issue appears to require reaching a driver initialization error path. No source describes remote exploitation, privilege escalation, or data compromise.

Researcher notes

Evidence is limited to the CVE record and Linux stable commit references. No CVSS, CWE, exploit status, or detailed trigger conditions are provided. Analysis should focus on patch presence, driver configuration, and distro-specific backport mapping.

Mitigation direction

  • Check your Linux vendor’s advisory for CVE-2022-50660 coverage.
  • Update to a vendor kernel containing the referenced stable fixes.
  • Prioritize systems that include or load the ipw2200 Wi-Fi driver.
  • If unsupported, consider disabling unused ipw2200 driver support per vendor guidance.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Linux kernel versions and vendor backport status.
  • Check whether ipw2200 driver support is built or loadable.
  • Confirm the relevant stable kernel fix is present in your kernel package.
  • Review kernel logs for ipw2200 initialization errors if hardware is present.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
10

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.

ATT&CK lookup starting points

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CVE-2022-50660 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
9Source 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
LinuxLinuxa3caa99e6c68f466c13cfea74097f6fb01b45e25, a3caa99e6c68f466c13cfea74097f6fb01b45e25, a3caa99e6c68f466c13cfea74097f6fb01b45e25, a3caa99e6c68f466c13cfea74097f6fb01b45e25, a3caa99e6c68f466c13cfea74097f6fb01b45e25, a3caa99e6c68f466c13cfea74097f6fb01b45e25, a3caa99e6c68f466c13cfea74097f6fb01b45e25, a3caa99e6c68f466c13cfea74097f6fb01b45e25unaffected
LinuxLinux2.6.33, 0, 4.14.308, 4.19.276, 5.4.235, 5.10.173, 5.15.99, 6.1.16, 6.2.3, 6.3affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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