CVE-2022-50624 net: netsec: fix error handling in netsec_register_mdio()
A memory leak in the Linux kernel netsec driver can lead to resource exhaustion and denial of service.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Not needed
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- Available
What is CVE-2022-50624?
CVE-2022-50624 is a memory corruption vulnerability in Linux, published on 8 Dec 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:
net: netsec: fix error handling in netsec_register_mdio()
If phy_device_register() fails, phy_device_free() need be called to put refcount, so memory of phy device and device name can be freed in callback function.
If get_phy_device() fails, mdiobus_unregister() need be called, or it will cause warning in mdiobus_free() and kobject is leaked.
Which versions are affected by CVE-2022-50624?
How do I fix CVE-2022-50624?
Apply the vendor's patch.
Upgrade to the fixed version. Memory-safe languages, compiler hardening and fuzzing prevent most new cases. More about Memory corruption.
Is CVE-2022-50624 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2022-50624 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Sources
Also known as DEBIAN-CVE-2022-50624, GHSA-r2g2-5w3q-5hqj, UBUNTU-CVE-2022-50624.