CVE-2022-0435 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 03/25/2022
A stack overflow flaw was found in the Linux kernel's TIPC protocol functionality in the way a user sends a packet with malicious content where the number of domain member nodes is higher than the 64 allowed. This flaw allows a remote user to crash the system or possibly escalate their privileges if they have access to the TIPC network.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/18/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-0435 represents a critical stack overflow flaw within the Linux kernel's TIPC (Transparent Inter-Process Communication) protocol implementation. This protocol serves as a high-performance communication framework designed for cluster computing environments, facilitating seamless inter-process communication across distributed systems. The flaw manifests specifically when processing packets containing maliciously crafted content where the number of domain member nodes exceeds the permitted limit of sixty-four. The TIPC protocol operates at the kernel level and is utilized in various enterprise and embedded systems where reliable inter-node communication is essential for system operation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a buffer overflow condition in the kernel's packet processing routines. When a user sends a TIPC packet with an excessive number of domain member nodes, the kernel fails to properly validate the input parameters against the hardcoded limit of sixty-four nodes. This validation failure results in a stack-based buffer overflow, where the malicious data overflows into adjacent memory locations within the kernel's execution context. The flaw stems from inadequate bounds checking within the TIPC protocol handler, specifically in the domain member node processing logic. According to CWE-121, this represents a classic stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability where insufficient boundary checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent stack memory, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or system crashes.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-0435 extends beyond simple system crashes to potentially enable privilege escalation under certain conditions. Remote attackers who can access the TIPC network can exploit this vulnerability to either cause denial of service through system crashes or attempt to escalate their privileges to kernel level access. The vulnerability affects systems running Linux kernel versions where TIPC functionality is enabled and accessible, making it particularly concerning for enterprise environments that rely on cluster computing and distributed applications. The attack vector requires network access to the TIPC protocol interface, which typically operates on specific network ports and protocols, but once exploited, the consequences can be severe for system integrity and availability. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068, which describes the exploitation of local privilege escalation vulnerabilities, and T1499, covering network denial of service attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-0435 primarily involve applying the latest kernel security patches released by Linux kernel maintainers, which typically include proper input validation and bounds checking mechanisms. System administrators should disable TIPC protocol functionality on systems where it is not required, particularly in environments where the protocol is exposed to untrusted networks. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to TIPC protocol ports and interfaces, limiting potential attack surface. Additionally, monitoring for anomalous TIPC packet patterns and excessive domain member node counts can help detect exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation in kernel space operations and demonstrates how seemingly benign protocol features can become security risks when proper boundary checking is omitted. Organizations should also consider implementing kernel module hardening measures and runtime protections to further reduce the impact of such vulnerabilities in their environments.