CVE-2022-50179

High

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ath9k: fix use-after-free in ath9k_hif_usb_rx_cb Syzbot reported use-after-free Read in ath9k_hif_usb_rx_cb() [0]. The problem was in incorrect htc_handle->drv_priv initialization. Probable call trace which can trigger use-after-free: ath9k_htc_probe_device() /* htc_handle->drv_priv = priv; */ ath9k_htc_wait_for_target() <--- Failed ieee80211_free_hw() <--- priv pointer is freed <IRQ> ... ath9k_hif_usb_rx_cb() ath9k_hif_usb_rx_stream() RX_STAT_INC() <--- htc_handle->drv_priv access In order to not add fancy protection for drv_priv we can move htc_handle->drv_priv initialization at the end of the ath9k_htc_probe_device() and add helper macro to make all *_STAT_* macros NULL safe, since syzbot has reported related NULL deref in that macros [1]

Package Linux Kernel
Published 2025-06-18
Last modified 2025-11-20
CVSS version 3.1
Patch available
Yes

CVSS 3.1 score

7.8

out of 10
High
Attack Vector
Local
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
Low
User Interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
High
Vector string
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Weakness type

CWE-416

CVE-2022-50179 is a Use After Free vulnerability

What is Use After Free?

The product references memory after it has been freed, which may cause it to crash, use unexpected values, or execute code. Learn more on MITRE CWE

Affected versions

Linux kernel versions 2.6.35 and later are affected. Fixed in 4.14.291, 4.19.256, 5.4.211, 5.10.137, 5.15.61, 5.18.18, 5.19.2, 6.0 and their respective stable series.

Affected from
≥ 2.6.35
Fixed in
✓ 4.14.291 4.14.x ✓ 4.19.256 4.19.x ✓ 5.4.211 5.4.x ✓ 5.10.137 5.10.x ✓ 5.15.61 5.15.x ✓ 5.18.18 5.18.x ✓ 5.19.2 5.19.x ✓ 6.0

References

The following references provide additional information about CVE-2022-50179 including vendor advisories, patch commits, exploit details, and third-party analysis. Links are sourced from the NIST NVD database.

8 patch commits total View all on NVD

Frequently asked questions

  • What is CVE-2022-50179?

    CVE-2022-50179 is a High severity Linux kernel vulnerability with a CVSS score of 7.8 out of 10 , classified as an Use After Free flaw (CWE-416) . It affects Linux kernel versions from 2.6.35 onward and has been patched in 4.14.291, 4.19.256, 5.4.211 and others. CVE-2022-50179 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

  • What is the CVSS score for CVE-2022-50179?

    CVE-2022-50179 has a CVSS score of 7.8 out of 10, rated High severity (CVSS 3.1). The vector string is CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H .

  • Is there a patch available for CVE-2022-50179?

    Yes — CVE-2022-50179 has been patched. Fixed versions include 4.14.291, 4.19.256, 5.4.211 and others. If you are running Linux kernel 2.6.35 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.

  • Is CVE-2022-50179 actively exploited?

    No — CVE-2022-50179 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.

  • What is Use After Free (CWE-416)?

    The product references memory after it has been freed, which may cause it to crash, use unexpected values, or execute code. View CWE-416 on MITRE CWE →

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