Linux Kernel up to 4.19.291 get_uts use after free

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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8.1$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability has been found in Linux Kernel and classified as very critical. This affects the function get_uts. This manipulation causes use after free. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2022-4696. The attack can be initiated remotely. There is not any exploit available. The affected component should be upgraded.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability has been found in Linux Kernel (Operating System) and classified as very critical. Affected by this vulnerability is the function get_uts. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a use after free vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-416. Referencing memory after it has been freed can cause a program to crash, use unexpected values, or execute code. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

There exists a use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel through io_uring and the IORING_OP_SPLICE operation. If IORING_OP_SPLICE is missing the IO_WQ_WORK_FILES flag, which signals that the operation won't use current->nsproxy, so its reference counter is not increased. This assumption is not always true as calling io_splice on specific files will call the get_uts function which will use current->nsproxy leading to invalidly decreasing its reference counter later causing the use-after-free vulnerability. We recommend upgrading to version 5.10.160 or above

The weakness was released 01/11/2023. It is possible to read the advisory at kernel.dance. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2022-4696 since 12/23/2022. Technical details of the vulnerability are known, but there is no available exploit. The pricing for an exploit might be around USD $0-$5k at the moment (estimation calculated on 05/19/2025).

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 236642 (Alibaba Cloud Linux 3 : 0042: cloud-kernel bugfix, enhancement and (ALINUX3-SA-2023:0042)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 5.10.160 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying a patch is able to eliminate this problem. The bugfix is ready for download at git.kernel.org. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at Tenable (236642). Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

Type

Vendor

Name

Version

License

Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 8.3
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 8.1

VulDB Base Score: 8.8
VulDB Temp Score: 8.4
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CNA Base Score: 7.8
CNA Vector (Google Inc.): 🔍

CVSSv2info

AVACAuCIA
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VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Use after free
CWE: CWE-416 / CWE-119
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔍
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Nessus ID: 236642
Nessus Name: Alibaba Cloud Linux 3 : 0042: cloud-kernel bugfix, enhancement and (ALINUX3-SA-2023:0042)

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍

Upgrade: Kernel 5.10.160
Patch: git.kernel.org

Timelineinfo

12/23/2022 🔍
01/11/2023 +19 days 🔍
01/11/2023 +0 days 🔍
05/19/2025 +859 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: kernel.dance
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2022-4696 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2022-4696
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-218011

Entryinfo

Created: 01/11/2023 16:37
Updated: 05/19/2025 08:05
Changes: 01/11/2023 16:37 (40), 02/01/2023 17:33 (12), 05/19/2025 08:05 (18)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.

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