CVE-2022-50220: usbnet: Fix linkwatch use-after-free on disconnect
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
usbnet: Fix linkwatch use-after-free on disconnect
usbnet uses the work usbnetdeferredkevent() to perform tasks which may sleep. On disconnect, completion of the work was originally awaited in ->ndostop(). 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 flushscheduledwork(), and that could deadlock when waiting for usbnetdeferredkevent() with rtnlmutex held in ->ndostop().
The commit solved one problem but created another: It causes a use-after-free in USB Ethernet drivers aqc111.c, asixdevices.c, ax88179178a.c, ch9200.c and smsc75xx.c:
If the drivers receive a link change interrupt immediately before disconnect, they raise EVENTLINKRESET in their (non-sleepable) ->status() callback and schedule usbnetdeferredkevent(). usbnetdeferredkevent() invokes the driver's ->linkreset() callback, which calls netifcarrier{on,off}(). That in turn schedules the work linkwatchevent().
Because usbnetdeferredkevent() is awaited after unregisternetdev(), netifcarrier{on,off}() may operate on an unregistered netdev and linkwatchevent() may run after freenetdev(), causing a use-after-free.
In 2010, usbnet was changed to only wait for a single instance of usbnetdeferredkevent() instead of all work by commit 23f333a2bfaf ("drivers/net: don't use flushscheduledwork()").
Unfortunately the commit neglected to move the wait back to ->ndostop(). Rectify that omission at long last.
Affected Software
Remediation
Event History
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the severity of CVE-2022-50220?
CVE-2022-50220 is classified as a medium severity vulnerability affecting the Linux kernel.
How do I fix CVE-2022-50220?
To fix CVE-2022-50220, update the Linux kernel to the latest version where the vulnerability has been patched.
What type of vulnerability is CVE-2022-50220?
CVE-2022-50220 is a use-after-free vulnerability related to the usbnet driver in the Linux kernel.
Which software is affected by CVE-2022-50220?
CVE-2022-50220 affects the Linux kernel across various distributions that include the impacted usbnet driver.
How does CVE-2022-50220 impact system security?
CVE-2022-50220 could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code or disrupt system operations when the vulnerable component is exploited.