CVE-2022-50252

Kernel memory corruption via stale q_vector pointer

Published Sep 15, 2025 · Updated Sep 15, 2025

A use-after-free in the Linux kernel igb driver allows local users to corrupt kernel memory when q_vector allocation fails. In igb_alloc_q_vector(), failed allocation cleanup frees a preexisting q_vector but leaves its pointer in adapter->q_vector[v_idx]. Exploitation requires low-privileged local access, an applicable igb device, and memory pressure; subsequent pointer use can crash the kernel or alter kernel data.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.16%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

A use-after-free in the Linux kernel igb driver allows local users to corrupt kernel memory when q_vector allocation fails. In igb_alloc_q_vector(), failed allocation cleanup frees a preexisting q_vector but leaves its pointer in adapter->q_vector[v_idx]. Exploitation requires low-privileged local access, an applicable igb device, and memory pressure; subsequent pointer use can crash the kernel or alter kernel data.

The record

CVE
CVE-2022-50252
Published
Sep 15, 2025
Updated
Sep 15, 2025
Vendor
The Linux Kernel Organization
Product
Linux
Classifications
CWE-416, T1068
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Sep 15, 2025CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Sep 15, 2025Record 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.

  1. Affected versionversion=1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2 <0200f0fbb11e359cc35af72ab10b2ec224e6f633
  2. Affected versionversion=1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2 <0668716506ca66f90d395f36ccdaebc3e0e84801
  3. Affected versionversion=1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2 <314f7092b27749bdde44c14095b5533afa2a3bc8
  4. Affected versionversion=1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2 <3cb18dea11196fb4a06f78294cec5e61985e1aff
  5. Affected versionversion=1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2 <56483aecf6b22eb7dff6315b3a174688c6ad494c
  6. Affected versionversion=1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2 <64ca1969599857143e91aeec4440640656100803
  7. Affected versionversion=1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2 <68e8adbcaf7a8743e473343b38b9dad66e2ac6f3
  8. Affected versionversion=1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2 <6e399577bd397a517df4b938601108c63769ce0a
  9. Affected versionversion=1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2 <f96bd8adc8adde25390965a8c1ee81b73cb62075

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

The Linux Kernel Organization · Linuxversion=1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2 <0200f0fbb11e359cc35af72ab10b2ec224e6f633; version=1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2 <0668716506ca66f90d395f36ccdaebc3e0e84801; version=1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2 <314f7092b27749bdde44c14095b5533afa2a3bc8; version=1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2 <3cb18dea11196fb4a06f78294cec5e61985e1aff; version=1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2 <56483aecf6b22eb7dff6315b3a174688c6ad494c; version=1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2 <64ca1969599857143e91aeec4440640656100803; version=1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2 <68e8adbcaf7a8743e473343b38b9dad66e2ac6f3; version=1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2 <6e399577bd397a517df4b938601108c63769ce0a; version=1da177e4c3f41524e886b7f1b8a0c1fc7321cac2 <f96bd8adc8adde25390965a8c1ee81b73cb62075

Published CVSS scores

7.8NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
7.0Amazon LinuxCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

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No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-416Use After Free
T1068Exploitation for Privilege Escalation

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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