Kernel memory leak via unreleased debugfs dentry
Published May 3, 2024 · Updated May 11, 2026
Memory leak in AMD display debugfs code in Linux allows attackers to consume kernel memory over time via unspecified vectors. The crtc_debugfs_init function retains the dentry reference returned by debugfs_lookup without calling dput, leaving kernel memory pinned after initialization. The path requires AMD Secure Display support and display-controller initialization; published sources identify no remote trigger or resulting crash.
Summary
What happened
Memory leak in AMD display debugfs code in Linux allows attackers to consume kernel memory over time via unspecified vectors. The crtc_debugfs_init function retains the dentry reference returned by debugfs_lookup without calling dput, leaving kernel memory pinned after initialization. The path requires AMD Secure Display support and display-controller initialization; published sources identify no remote trigger or resulting crash.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2022-48698
- Published
- May 3, 2024
- Updated
- May 11, 2026
- Vendor
- The Linux Kernel Organization
- Product
- Linux
- Classifications
- CWE-401
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- authenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- May 3, 2024CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- May 11, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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Is a vulnerable build present?
Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.
- Affected versionversion=5.13
- Affected versionversion=86bc221918925a0bbb49043e3936e898e009b43b <3a6279d243cb035eaaff1450980b40cf19748f05
- Affected versionversion=86bc221918925a0bbb49043e3936e898e009b43b <58acd2ebae034db3bacf38708f508fbd12ae2e54
- Affected versionversion=86bc221918925a0bbb49043e3936e898e009b43b <cbfac7fa491651c57926c99edeb7495c6c1aeac2
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.
Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
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Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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