CVE-2022-2196

High

A regression exists in the Linux Kernel within KVM: nVMX that allowed for speculative execution attacks. L2 can carry out Spectre v2 attacks on L1 due to L1 thinking it doesn't need retpolines or IBPB after running L2 due to KVM (L0) advertising eIBRS support to L1. An attacker at L2 with code execution can execute code on an indirect branch on the host machine. We recommend upgrading to Kernel 6.2 or applying the relevant stable backports (v5.4.233, v5.10.170, v5.15.96, v6.1.14).

Package Linux Kernel
Published 2023-01-09
Last modified 2026-08-07
CVSS version 3.1
Patch available
Yes

CVSS 3.1 score

8.8

out of 10
High
Attack Vector
Local
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
Low
User Interaction
None
Scope
Changed
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
High
Vector string
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H

Weakness type

CWE-1188

CVE-2022-2196 is classified as CWE-1188

See CWE-1188 on MITRE CWE for full details on this weakness type.

Affected versions

Linux kernel versions 5.4.47, 5.6.19, 5.7.3, 5.8.0, 5.11.0, 5.16.0 and later are affected. Fixed in 6.2.0 and their respective stable series.

Affected from
≥ 5.4.47 ≥ 5.6.19 ≥ 5.7.3 ≥ 5.8.0 ≥ 5.11.0 ≥ 5.16.0
Fixed in
✓ 6.2.0 6.2.x

Frequently asked questions

  • What is CVE-2022-2196?

    CVE-2022-2196 is a High severity Linux kernel vulnerability with a CVSS score of 8.8 out of 10 . It affects Linux kernel versions from 5.4.47 onward and has been patched in 6.2.0. CVE-2022-2196 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

  • What is the CVSS score for CVE-2022-2196?

    CVE-2022-2196 has a CVSS score of 8.8 out of 10, rated High severity (CVSS 3.1). The vector string is CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H .

  • Is there a patch available for CVE-2022-2196?

    Yes. CVE-2022-2196 has been patched. Fixed versions include 6.2.0. If you are running Linux kernel 5.4.47 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.

  • Is CVE-2022-2196 actively exploited?

    No. CVE-2022-2196 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.