CVE-2022-3633 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 10/21/2022
A vulnerability classified as problematic has been found in Linux Kernel. Affected is the function j1939_session_destroy of the file net/can/j1939/transport.c of the component IPsec. The manipulation leads to memory leak. It is recommended to apply a patch to fix this issue. The identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-211932.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/18/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-3633 represents a memory leak condition within the Linux kernel's J1939 transport layer implementation. This issue specifically affects the j1939_session_destroy function located in the net/can/j1939/transport.c file, which is part of the CAN (Controller Area Network) subsystem. The J1939 protocol is widely used in automotive and industrial applications for communication between electronic control units, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for embedded systems and vehicle networks. The memory leak occurs during the cleanup process when destroying J1939 sessions, indicating a failure in proper resource deallocation that can lead to progressive memory consumption over time.
The technical flaw manifests when the j1939_session_destroy function fails to properly release allocated memory structures associated with J1939 sessions. This memory leak vulnerability falls under CWE-401, which specifically addresses improper management of memory allocation and deallocation. The issue is particularly insidious because it operates within the kernel space of the Linux operating system, meaning that the memory corruption can affect system stability and potentially provide attackers with opportunities to exploit the system through resource exhaustion attacks. The vulnerability affects systems that utilize the CAN bus protocol with J1939 transport layer, which includes various automotive systems, industrial control systems, and embedded devices that rely on these communication protocols for critical operations.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability can lead to significant system degradation and potential service disruption in environments where J1939 communication is heavily utilized. The memory leak may cause gradual performance degradation, system instability, and eventually complete system crashes or hangs, particularly in resource-constrained embedded environments. The vulnerability is especially problematic in automotive applications where continuous operation is critical, as memory exhaustion could lead to safety-critical system failures. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability could be leveraged for resource exhaustion attacks under technique T1499, potentially leading to denial of service conditions that could affect vehicle operation or industrial process control. The impact is amplified in connected vehicle environments where multiple J1939 sessions may be active simultaneously, accelerating the memory consumption rate.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves applying the official kernel patch that addresses the memory leak in the j1939_session_destroy function. System administrators should prioritize updating their Linux kernel versions to include the fix, particularly in automotive and industrial environments where J1939 communication is prevalent. Organizations should also implement monitoring solutions to detect unusual memory consumption patterns that might indicate the presence of this vulnerability. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of systems running affected kernel versions. The patch implementation should be followed by comprehensive testing to ensure that the fix does not introduce regressions in existing J1939 communication functionality. Security teams should also consider this vulnerability as part of their broader assessment of automotive cybersecurity risks, particularly in vehicle networks where the compromise of memory management functions could have cascading effects on vehicle safety systems.