CVE-2022-4696

High

There exists a use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel through io_uring and the IORING_OP_SPLICE operation. If IORING_OP_SPLICE is missing the IO_WQ_WORK_FILES flag, which signals that the operation won't use current->nsproxy, so its reference counter is not increased. This assumption is not always true as calling io_splice on specific files will call the get_uts function which will use current->nsproxy leading to invalidly decreasing its reference counter later causing the use-after-free vulnerability. We recommend upgrading to version 5.10.160 or above

Package Linux Kernel
Published 2023-01-11
Last modified 2024-11-21
CVSS version 3.1
Patch available
Awaiting data

CVSS 3.1 score

7.8

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

Weakness type

CWE-763

CVE-2022-4696 is a Release of Invalid Pointer or Reference vulnerability

What is Release of Invalid Pointer or Reference?

The product attempts to return a memory resource to the system but calls the wrong release function. Learn more on MITRE CWE

References

The following references provide additional information about CVE-2022-4696 including vendor advisories, patch commits, exploit details, and third-party analysis. Links are sourced from the NIST NVD database.

Frequently asked questions

  • What is CVE-2022-4696?

    CVE-2022-4696 is a High severity Linux kernel vulnerability with a CVSS score of 7.8 out of 10 , classified as a Release of Invalid Pointer or Reference flaw (CWE-763) . CVE-2022-4696 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

  • What is the CVSS score for CVE-2022-4696?

    CVE-2022-4696 has a CVSS score of 7.8 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:U/C:H/I:H/A:H .

  • Is there a patch available for CVE-2022-4696?

    No patch is currently available for CVE-2022-4696. Monitor the NIST NVD and your Linux distribution's security advisories for updates.

  • Is CVE-2022-4696 actively exploited?

    No — CVE-2022-4696 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.

  • What is Release of Invalid Pointer or Reference (CWE-763)?

    The product attempts to return a memory resource to the system but calls the wrong release function. View CWE-763 on MITRE CWE →