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CVE Record

CVE-2022-50837: net: dsa: tag_8021q: avoid leaking ctx on dsa_tag_8021q_register() error path

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net: dsa: tag_8021q: avoid leaking ctx on dsa_tag_8021q_register() error path If dsa_tag_8021q_setup() fails, for example due to the inability of the device to install a VLAN, the tag_8021q context of the switch will leak. Make sure it is freed on the error path.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2022-50837 is a Linux kernel bug where a networking switch tagging component can leak memory when setup fails. The available sources describe a fix for an error path, not active attacks. Business urgency is highest for Linux-based network appliances, embedded systems, or servers using DSA switch hardware and 802.1Q tagging.

Executive priority

Treat this as a targeted kernel maintenance issue, not an emergency based on current evidence. Prioritize patch verification for network-facing Linux appliances and embedded switch platforms. Routine servers without DSA switch hardware are less likely to be exposed, but should still follow normal kernel update cycles.

Technical view

The issue is in Linux kernel net/dsa/tag_8021q. If dsa_tag_8021q_setup() fails, such as when a device cannot install a VLAN, the switch tag_8021q context is not freed. The upstream fix frees that context on the dsa_tag_8021q_register() error path. No CVSS, CWE, or exploitation details are provided.

Likely exposure

Exposure appears limited to Linux kernels using the DSA 802.1Q tagging path, especially systems with switch hardware requiring VLAN installation. The source bundle lists Linux as affected, including versions 5.15, 5.15.86, 6.0.16, 6.1.2, and 6.2, but version-range details are incomplete.

Exploitation context

No cited source reports active exploitation, and the CVE is not marked KEV. The described impact is a kernel memory leak on a setup failure path. Sources do not establish whether an unprivileged local or remote attacker can reliably trigger it.

Researcher notes

The public record is sparse: no CVSS, CWE, exploitability analysis, or attacker prerequisites are provided. Analysis should focus on whether the vulnerable dsa_tag_8021q_register() path exists in deployed kernels and whether hardware or drivers can trigger setup failure repeatedly enough to create operational impact.

Mitigation direction

  • Apply Linux stable or vendor kernel updates containing the referenced fixes.
  • Check distribution or appliance vendor advisories for backported kernel packages.
  • Prioritize Linux network appliances and embedded systems using DSA switch hardware.
  • If patching is delayed, ask the vendor for supported operational mitigations.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Linux kernel versions across affected servers, appliances, and embedded devices.
  • Identify systems using Linux DSA switch hardware or 802.1Q tagging.
  • Confirm installed kernels include one of the referenced stable fixes or vendor backports.
  • Document exceptions where vendor guidance is unavailable or hardware exposure is unclear.
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-2022-50837 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
LinuxLinux328621f6131f667c5c328bb72d45442fd76efb81, 328621f6131f667c5c328bb72d45442fd76efb81, 328621f6131f667c5c328bb72d45442fd76efb81, 328621f6131f667c5c328bb72d45442fd76efb81unaffected
LinuxLinux5.15, 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.