CVE-2022-2785 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 09/23/2022
There exists an arbitrary memory read within the Linux Kernel BPF - Constants provided to fill pointers in structs passed in to bpf_sys_bpf are not verified and can point anywhere, including memory not owned by BPF. An attacker with CAP_BPF can arbitrarily read memory from anywhere on the system. We recommend upgrading past commit 86f44fcec22c
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/14/2026
The vulnerability described in CVE-2022-2785 represents a critical security flaw within the Linux Kernel's Berkeley Packet Filter implementation that allows for arbitrary memory read operations. This issue specifically affects the BPF subsystem's handling of constant values used to populate pointer fields within structures passed to the bpf_sys_bpf system call. The flaw exists in the kernel's validation mechanisms where constants provided to fill pointer fields in BPF structures are not properly verified, creating a pathway for malicious actors to access memory locations beyond the intended BPF execution context.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the kernel's BPF subsystem. When BPF programs are loaded or executed through the bpf_sys_bpf interface, the kernel accepts constant values that are intended to populate pointer fields within kernel data structures. However, these constants are not validated to ensure they point to legitimate memory regions within the kernel's address space or to BPF-managed memory. This lack of validation allows an attacker with the CAP_BPF capability to manipulate these constants to point to arbitrary memory locations, effectively enabling them to read data from any location within the kernel's memory space.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching, particularly for systems running Linux kernels that are vulnerable to this specific flaw. An attacker with the CAP_BPF capability can leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive information from kernel memory, potentially including cryptographic keys, passwords, network credentials, and other confidential data. The vulnerability essentially provides a direct memory reading primitive that bypasses normal kernel memory protection mechanisms, allowing for information disclosure attacks that could compromise entire system security. This capability is particularly dangerous because it enables attackers to gather intelligence about the system's internal state and potentially identify additional vulnerabilities or attack vectors.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-125: "Out-of-Bounds Read" and represents a specific instance of improper input validation within kernel space operations. From an adversarial perspective, this flaw maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1003: "OS Credential Dumping" and T1082: "System Information Discovery" as attackers can extract sensitive information from kernel memory. The attack surface is limited to systems where users possess the CAP_BPF capability, which is typically restricted to privileged processes or users with specific security requirements, but this limitation does not prevent exploitation in environments where such capabilities are improperly granted or where privilege escalation occurs through other means.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate upgrading of affected Linux kernels to versions that contain the fix for commit 86f44fcec22c, which implements proper validation of constants used to populate pointer fields in BPF structures. System administrators should also implement strict capability management, ensuring that CAP_BPF is only granted to processes that absolutely require this privilege. Additional defensive measures include monitoring for suspicious BPF program loading activities and implementing kernel lockdown modes that restrict BPF functionality in security-sensitive environments. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive security assessments to identify all systems running vulnerable kernel versions and prioritize patching based on risk assessment and system criticality.