CVE-2022-30065 in BusyBox
Summary
by MITRE • 05/18/2022
A use-after-free in Busybox 1.35-x's awk applet leads to denial of service and possibly code execution when processing a crafted awk pattern in the copyvar function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/07/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-30065 represents a critical use-after-free condition within the awk applet of Busybox version 1.35-x which fundamentally compromises system stability and security. This flaw exists in the copyvar function where improper memory management allows attackers to manipulate the application's behavior through carefully crafted awk patterns. The vulnerability specifically affects embedded systems and appliances that rely on Busybox as their core utilities package, making it particularly dangerous in IoT devices, network equipment, and other resource-constrained environments where Busybox is commonly deployed.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from a classic memory safety issue where a pointer continues to reference freed memory locations within the awk applet's variable copying mechanism. When processing maliciously constructed awk patterns, the copyvar function fails to properly validate memory references, leading to a scenario where freed memory blocks are accessed after deallocation. This use-after-free condition creates a predictable crash pattern that can be exploited to cause denial of service by forcing the application to terminate unexpectedly. However, the vulnerability's potential extends beyond simple disruption as the memory corruption can potentially be leveraged for code execution through carefully crafted input that manipulates the program's execution flow.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-30065 is significant across multiple threat vectors and attack surfaces. Systems running vulnerable Busybox versions become susceptible to remote denial of service attacks that can render network services unavailable, particularly affecting embedded devices that depend on awk for configuration management, log processing, or network automation tasks. The potential for code execution adds an additional layer of risk, as attackers could potentially escalate privileges or inject malicious payloads into systems running vulnerable versions. This vulnerability affects the broader cybersecurity landscape as Busybox is widely used in Linux-based embedded systems, making it a critical target for attackers seeking to compromise IoT infrastructure, network appliances, and other devices that rely on minimal system utilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-30065 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Busybox versions to the latest stable releases that contain memory management fixes for the copyvar function. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of vulnerable systems to untrusted networks and users. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual awk processing patterns and memory access anomalies that could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-416 which specifically addresses use-after-free conditions, and its exploitation patterns correspond to techniques found in the ATT&CK framework under T1059.006 for execution through scripting languages and T1499.004 for denial of service through resource exhaustion. System administrators should also consider implementing input validation controls and sandboxing measures to prevent malicious awk patterns from reaching the vulnerable code paths, particularly in environments where awk functionality is exposed to untrusted input sources.