CVE-2022-3630 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 10/21/2022
A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel. It has been rated as problematic. This issue affects some unknown processing of the file fs/fscache/cookie.c of the component IPsec. The manipulation leads to memory leak. It is recommended to apply a patch to fix this issue. The associated identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-211931.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/18/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-3630 represents a memory leak issue within the Linux kernel's filesystem caching subsystem, specifically within the fs/fscache/cookie.c component that handles IPsec protocol operations. This flaw resides in the kernel's handling of caching mechanisms for network filesystems, where the memory allocation for caching cookies becomes problematic during IPsec processing operations. The vulnerability manifests when the kernel fails to properly release memory resources that are allocated for caching purposes, leading to gradual memory consumption that can eventually impact system stability and performance. The issue affects systems utilizing the Linux kernel's fscache framework, particularly those implementing IPsec security protocols for network communications. The memory leak occurs during the processing of IPsec-related caching operations, where allocated kernel memory structures are not correctly deallocated, creating a persistent resource drain that accumulates over time. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-401, which specifically addresses improper management of memory allocation and deallocation, making it a classic example of resource leak vulnerabilities in kernel space operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires specific conditions involving the use of IPsec protocols within filesystem caching operations, where the kernel's fscache subsystem processes network filesystem cookies. Attackers could potentially leverage this weakness to cause gradual memory exhaustion on systems that heavily utilize IPsec-enabled filesystem caching, though direct remote exploitation is not typically possible without specific access conditions. The vulnerability's impact is measured through the progressive consumption of kernel memory, which can lead to system slowdowns, resource exhaustion, or in severe cases, system instability and potential denial of service conditions. The flaw demonstrates how kernel-level memory management issues can compound under specific operational conditions, particularly when multiple concurrent IPsec operations interact with the filesystem caching subsystem. The memory leak specifically affects the kernel's ability to properly manage cache cookie structures, where each failed deallocation contributes to a growing memory footprint that can eventually impact system responsiveness and overall performance metrics.
From an operational standpoint, systems running Linux kernels with IPsec support and active filesystem caching operations are at risk of experiencing degraded performance over time due to this memory leak. The vulnerability's impact is particularly concerning in high-availability environments where system stability is paramount, as gradual memory consumption can lead to unexpected system behavior and potential service disruption. Organizations utilizing IPsec-enabled network filesystems, such as those implementing secure file sharing or remote access protocols, must carefully monitor system memory usage and performance metrics to detect early signs of memory exhaustion. The vulnerability's remediation requires applying the appropriate kernel patch, which typically involves correcting the memory deallocation logic within the fscache subsystem to ensure proper cleanup of cache cookie structures during IPsec processing operations. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.001, which covers resource exhaustion attacks, as the memory leak can be leveraged to exhaust system resources over time. System administrators should implement monitoring solutions to track memory usage patterns and identify potential exploitation of this vulnerability through unusual memory consumption trends.
The fix for CVE-2022-3630 typically involves updating the Linux kernel to a patched version that addresses the improper memory management within the fscache subsystem. This patch corrects the memory deallocation logic in the cookie.c file, ensuring that cache cookie structures are properly freed when IPsec processing completes. Organizations should prioritize applying this patch to systems that utilize IPsec-enabled filesystem caching, particularly in environments where memory resources are constrained or where continuous operation is critical. The vulnerability's classification as problematic indicates that while direct exploitation may be limited, the cumulative impact of memory leaks can create significant operational concerns. System administrators should also consider implementing memory monitoring tools to detect unusual consumption patterns that may indicate the presence of this vulnerability. The patch implementation process should be carefully planned to minimize disruption to running services, and testing should be conducted in controlled environments before widespread deployment. This vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining current kernel versions and following security advisories from kernel maintainers to prevent exploitation of memory management flaws that can impact system stability and performance.