Menu

Star on GitHub · 3.2k

CVE-2022-50220

7.8 · HIGH

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: usbnet: Fix linkwatch use-after-free on disconnect usbnet uses the work usbnet_deferred_kevent() to perform tasks which may sleep.

Published Jun 18, 2025CWE-416EPSS 0.24%

Overview

CVE-2022-50220 is a high-severity vulnerability. It was published on June 18, 2025 and has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 (HIGH).

This vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8, rated HIGH. It requires local or adjacent network access to exploit. Some level of privileges is required for exploitation.

Technical description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:

usbnet: Fix linkwatch use-after-free on disconnect

usbnet uses the work usbnet_deferred_kevent() to perform tasks which may

sleep. On disconnect, completion of the work was originally awaited in

->ndo_stop(). But in 2003, that was moved to ->disconnect() by historic

commit "[PATCH] USB: usbnet, prevent exotic rtnl deadlock":

https://git.kernel.org/tglx/history/c/0f138bbfd83c

The change was made because back then, the kernel's workqueue

implementation did not allow waiting for a single work. One had to wait

for completion of *all* work by calling flush_scheduled_work(), and that

could deadlock when waiting for usbnet_deferred_kevent() with rtnl_mutex

held in ->ndo_stop().

The commit solved one problem but created another: It causes a

use-after-free in USB Ethernet drivers aqc111.c, asix_devices.c,

ax88179_178a.c, ch9200.c and smsc75xx.c:

* If the drivers receive a link change interrupt immediately before

d

Remediation

Check the references section for vendor advisories, patches, and mitigation guidance. If immediate patching is not possible, review the CVSS vector to understand the attack surface and apply compensating controls such as network segmentation or access restrictions.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2022-50220?

CVE-2022-50220 is a high-severity vulnerability. It was published on June 18, 2025 and has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 (HIGH).

How severe is CVE-2022-50220?

This vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8, rated HIGH. It requires local or adjacent network access to exploit. Some level of privileges is required for exploitation.

How do I fix or remediate CVE-2022-50220?

Check the references section for vendor advisories, patches, and mitigation guidance. If immediate patching is not possible, review the CVSS vector to understand the attack surface and apply compensating controls such as network segmentation or access restrictions.

How can CyberStrike help with CVE-2022-50220?

CyberStrike is an open-source, AI-augmented pentesting engine. Rather than flag a version number, it tests whether an issue like CVE-2022-50220 is actually reachable in your own applications and APIs, then verifies each finding before reporting it. That tells you if the weakness is a real, exploitable risk in your environment or a false positive you can safely deprioritize.

Related HIGH CVEs from 2022

View all