CVE-2023-54022 ALSA: usb-audio: Fix potential memory leaks at error path for UMP open
A memory leak in the Linux kernel ALSA USB audio driver allows local attackers to cause denial of service via resource exhaustion.
- 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-2023-54022?
CVE-2023-54022 is a memory corruption vulnerability in Linux, published on 24 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:
ALSA: usb-audio: Fix potential memory leaks at error path for UMP open
The allocation and initialization errors at alloc_midi_urbs() that is called at MIDI 2.0 / UMP device are supposed to be handled at the caller side by invoking free_midi_urbs(). However, free_midi_urbs() loops only for ep->num_urbs entries, and since ep->num_entries wasn't updated yet at the allocation / init error in alloc_midi_urbs(), this entry won't be released.
The intention of free_midi_urbs() is to release the whole elements, so change the loop size to NUM_URBS to scan over all elements for fixing the missed releases.
Also, the call of free_midi_urbs() is missing at snd_usb_midi_v2_open(). Although it'll be released later at reopen/close or disconnection, it's better to release immediately at the error path.
Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-54022?
How do I fix CVE-2023-54022?
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-2023-54022 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2023-54022 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Sources
Also known as BELL-CVE-2023-54022, GHSA-j4hq-f3qw-86xx, UBUNTU-CVE-2023-54022.