Linux Kernel up to 5.18.10 cleanup_srcu_struct use after free

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical was found in Linux Kernel up to 5.18.10. Affected by this vulnerability is the function cleanup_srcu_struct. Executing a manipulation can lead to use after free. This vulnerability is registered as CVE-2022-49651. No exploit is available. Upgrading the affected component is advised.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability has been found in Linux Kernel up to 5.18.10 and classified as critical. This vulnerability affects the function cleanup_srcu_struct. 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. CVE summarizes:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: srcu: Tighten cleanup_srcu_struct() GP checks Currently, cleanup_srcu_struct() checks for a grace period in progress, but it does not check for a grace period that has not yet started but which might start at any time. Such a situation could result in a use-after-free bug, so this commit adds a check for a grace period that is needed but not yet started to cleanup_srcu_struct().

The advisory is shared for download at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability was named CVE-2022-49651 since 02/26/2025. The exploitation appears to be easy. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available. The current price for an exploit might be approx. USD $0-$5k (estimation calculated on 06/13/2025).

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 238183 (EulerOS 2.0 SP12 : kernel (EulerOS-SA-2025-1590)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 5.18.11 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch e997dda6502eefbc1032d6b0da7b353c53344b07/8ed00760203d8018bee042fbfe8e076579be2c2b 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 (238183). Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

Type

• Operating System

Vendor

• Linux

Name

• Kernel

Version

• 5.18.0
• 5.18.1
• 5.18.2
• 5.18.3
• 5.18.4
• 5.18.5
• 5.18.6
• 5.18.7
• 5.18.8
• 5.18.9
• 5.18.10

License

• open-source

Website

• Vendor: https://www.kernel.org/

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Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

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