Linux Kernel up to 5.18.2 create_var_ref double free

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability has been found in Linux Kernel up to 5.18.2 and classified as critical. Impacted is the function create_var_ref. Performing a manipulation results in double free. This vulnerability is reported as CVE-2022-49410. No exploit exists. The affected component should be upgraded.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in Linux Kernel up to 5.18.2. This affects the function create_var_ref. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a double free vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-415. The product calls free() twice on the same memory address, potentially leading to modification of unexpected memory locations. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: tracing: Fix potential double free in create_var_ref() In create_var_ref(), init_var_ref() is called to initialize the fields of variable ref_field, which is allocated in the previous function call to create_hist_field(). Function init_var_ref() allocates the corresponding fields such as ref_field->system, but frees these fields when the function encounters an error. The caller later calls destroy_hist_field() to conduct error handling, which frees the fields and the variable itself. This results in double free of the fields which are already freed in the previous function. Fix this by storing NULL to the corresponding fields when they are freed in init_var_ref().

It is possible to read the advisory at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2022-49410 since 02/26/2025. 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 07/01/2025).

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 241018 (EulerOS 2.0 SP13 : kernel (EulerOS-SA-2025-1704)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 4.19.247, 5.4.198, 5.10.121, 5.15.46, 5.17.14 or 5.18.3 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch f8b383f83cb573152c577eca1ef101e89995b72a/c27f744ceefadc7bbeb14233b6abc150ced617d2/058cb6d86b9789377216c936506b346aaa1eb581/37443b3508b8cce6832f8d25cb4550b2f7801f50/4fdfb15e08598711dbf50daf56a33965232daf0e/bd83ff3bbfb003832481c9bff999d12385f396ae/99696a2592bca641eb88cc9a80c90e591afebd0f 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 (241018). Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

Type

• Operating System

Vendor

• Linux

Name

• Kernel

Version

• 4.19.246
• 5.4.197
• 5.10.120
• 5.15.0
• 5.15.1
• 5.15.2
• 5.15.3
• 5.15.4
• 5.15.5
• 5.15.6
• 5.15.7
• 5.15.8
• 5.15.9
• 5.15.10
• 5.15.11
• 5.15.12
• 5.15.13
• 5.15.14
• 5.15.15
• 5.15.16
• 5.15.17
• 5.15.18
• 5.15.19
• 5.15.20
• 5.15.21
• 5.15.22
• 5.15.23
• 5.15.24
• 5.15.25
• 5.15.26
• 5.15.27
• 5.15.28
• 5.15.29
• 5.15.30
• 5.15.31
• 5.15.32
• 5.15.33
• 5.15.34
• 5.15.35
• 5.15.36
• 5.15.37
• 5.15.38
• 5.15.39
• 5.15.40
• 5.15.41
• 5.15.42
• 5.15.43
• 5.15.44
• 5.15.45
• 5.17.0
• 5.17.1
• 5.17.2
• 5.17.3
• 5.17.4
• 5.17.5
• 5.17.6
• 5.17.7
• 5.17.8
• 5.17.9
• 5.17.10
• 5.17.11
• 5.17.12
• 5.17.13
• 5.18.0
• 5.18.1
• 5.18.2

License

• open-source

Website

• Vendor: https://www.kernel.org/

CPE 2.3info

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CPE 2.2info

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Entryinfo

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