CVE-2022-3524 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 10/16/2022
A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel. It has been declared as problematic. Affected by this vulnerability is the function ipv6_renew_options of the component IPv6 Handler. The manipulation leads to memory leak. The attack can be launched remotely. It is recommended to apply a patch to fix this issue. The identifier VDB-211021 was assigned to this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/18/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-3524 represents a critical memory leak issue within the Linux kernel's IPv6 implementation, specifically affecting the ipv6_renew_options function within the IPv6 Handler component. This flaw exists at the kernel level and demonstrates the inherent complexity of network protocol handling in operating systems where memory management errors can have far-reaching consequences. The vulnerability was classified as remotely exploitable, meaning that attackers do not require physical access or local privileges to potentially leverage this weakness, making it particularly concerning for network-facing systems and infrastructure components.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management within the ipv6_renew_options function, which is responsible for handling IPv6 option renewal processes. When this function processes certain network packets or configuration states, it fails to properly release allocated memory resources, resulting in gradual memory consumption over time. This memory leak behavior can be particularly insidious because it may not immediately manifest as system failure but rather as progressive performance degradation that can eventually lead to system instability or denial of service conditions. The vulnerability operates at the kernel level, making it difficult to detect and mitigate without proper patching or system updates.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-3524 extends beyond simple memory consumption issues, as it can potentially affect the overall stability and performance of systems running affected Linux kernel versions. Network servers, routers, and any system handling significant IPv6 traffic are particularly at risk, as the memory leak can accumulate over time and eventually cause system crashes or severe performance degradation. The remote exploitability aspect means that attackers can potentially target systems without requiring local access, making this vulnerability suitable for large-scale attacks against network infrastructure. This characteristic aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for resource exhaustion and may be categorized under CWE-401 for memory leaks and resource exhaustion issues.
Systems administrators and security teams should prioritize applying the available kernel patches to address this vulnerability, as the memory leak can accumulate to critical levels over extended periods of operation. The vulnerability's classification as problematic by security vendors indicates that it represents a genuine risk to system stability and performance, particularly in high-traffic network environments. Organizations should implement monitoring solutions to detect unusual memory consumption patterns that may indicate exploitation of this vulnerability. The VDB-211021 identifier assigned to this vulnerability helps security professionals track and manage the remediation process through various vulnerability management systems and security databases. Proper patch management procedures should be implemented to ensure that all affected systems receive updates promptly, as delayed patching can leave systems vulnerable to exploitation by threat actors who may be actively targeting this specific memory leak condition.