CVE-2022-48799 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 07/16/2024
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
perf: Fix list corruption in perf_cgroup_switch()
There's list corruption on cgrp_cpuctx_list. This happens on the following path:
perf_cgroup_switch: list_for_each_entry(cgrp_cpuctx_list) cpu_ctx_sched_in ctx_sched_in ctx_pinned_sched_in merge_sched_in perf_cgroup_event_disable: remove the event from the list
Use list_for_each_entry_safe() to allow removing an entry during iteration.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/03/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-48799 represents a critical list corruption issue within the Linux kernel's performance monitoring subsystem, specifically affecting the perf_cgroup_switch() function. This flaw resides in the kernel's handling of cgroup CPU context lists during performance monitoring operations, creating a potential pathway for system instability and security compromise. The vulnerability manifests when the kernel attempts to iterate through the cgrp_cpuctx_list structure while simultaneously removing elements from it, leading to memory corruption that can result in system crashes or unpredictable behavior. The issue stems from improper list traversal mechanisms that do not account for modifications occurring during iteration, creating a classic race condition scenario within the kernel's performance monitoring framework.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the use of list_for_each_entry() macro instead of the safer list_for_each_entry_safe() function during the perf_cgroup_switch() operation. When the perf_cgroup_event_disable function executes and removes an event from the cgrp_cpuctx_list during an ongoing iteration, the list structure becomes corrupted, potentially causing memory access violations or system crashes. This flaw operates at the kernel level within the performance monitoring subsystem, specifically within the CPU context scheduling mechanisms that manage how performance events are tracked across different cgroups. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects the fundamental operation of performance monitoring and can potentially be exploited to cause denial of service or, in more sophisticated attacks, to gain elevated privileges within the kernel space. The flaw demonstrates a classic software engineering issue where the iteration mechanism does not properly handle concurrent modifications to the data structure being traversed.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-48799 extends beyond simple system instability, as it can affect critical performance monitoring operations across multiple kernel subsystems. Systems relying heavily on performance monitoring and cgroup management may experience unexpected crashes or data corruption during high-load scenarios where performance events are frequently created and destroyed. The vulnerability particularly affects systems using the perf subsystem for resource monitoring, container orchestration platforms, and environments where cgroup-based resource management is prevalent. Attackers could potentially exploit this weakness to cause system-wide performance degradation or to trigger kernel panics, leading to denial of service conditions that could impact critical infrastructure. The nature of the vulnerability means that any application or service utilizing the perf subsystem in conjunction with cgroup switching operations could be at risk, making this a widespread concern across Linux-based systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-48799 focus primarily on applying the kernel patch that implements the fix using list_for_each_entry_safe() instead of list_for_each_entry() within the perf_cgroup_switch() function. Organizations should prioritize updating their Linux kernel versions to include the patched implementation that resolves this list corruption issue. System administrators should monitor for kernel updates from their respective distribution vendors and apply patches promptly to ensure protection against this vulnerability. The fix aligns with established security practices for preventing list corruption vulnerabilities, which are commonly categorized under CWE-459 and CWE-460, representing improper cleanup and improper disposal of resources respectively. This vulnerability also relates to ATT&CK technique T1059.003, which involves the use of system services for privilege escalation, as the kernel-level corruption could potentially be leveraged to gain elevated privileges. Regular kernel security audits and monitoring of performance subsystems should be implemented to detect potential exploitation attempts, while system administrators should maintain awareness of the specific conditions under which this vulnerability manifests during cgroup switching operations.