CVE-2022-50048 netfilter: nf_tables: possible module reference underflow in error path
A module reference underflow in the Linux kernel netfilter subsystem can lead to a denial of service condition.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Any signed-in user
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- Available
What is CVE-2022-50048?
CVE-2022-50048 is a high-severity vulnerability in Linux kernel, published on 18 Jun 2025. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.
Official description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
netfilter: nf_tables: possible module reference underflow in error path
dst->ops is set on when nft_expr_clone() fails, but module refcount has not been bumped yet, therefore nft_expr_destroy() leads to module reference underflow.
Which versions are affected by CVE-2022-50048?
It affects 1 product.
Products include Linux kernel.
How do I fix CVE-2022-50048?
Apply the vendor's patch.
Is CVE-2022-50048 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2022-50048 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Other vulnerabilities in Linux kernel
Sources
Also known as DEBIAN-CVE-2022-50048, GHSA-4265-mmrf-q5w3, UBUNTU-CVE-2022-50048.