Linux Kernel up to 6.0.15/6.1.1 bpf bpf_prog_attach reference count

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.0.15/6.1.1 and classified as critical. The affected element is the function bpf_prog_attach of the component bpf. Performing a manipulation results in reference count. This vulnerability is reported as CVE-2022-50855. No exploit exists. The affected component should be upgraded.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.0.15/6.1.1. This affects the function bpf_prog_attach of the component bpf. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a reference count vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-911. The product uses a reference count to manage a resource, but it does not update or incorrectly updates the reference count. This is going to have an impact on availability. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: bpf: prevent leak of lsm program after failed attach In [0], we added the ability to bpf_prog_attach LSM programs to cgroups, but in our validation to make sure the prog is meant to be attached to BPF_LSM_CGROUP, we return too early if the check fails. This results in lack of decrementing prog's refcnt (through bpf_prog_put) leaving the LSM program alive past the point of the expected lifecycle. This fix allows for the decrement to take place. [0] https://lore.kernel.org/all/[email protected]/

The advisory is shared at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2022-50855 since 12/30/2025. Technical details are known, but no exploit is available.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 280800 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2022-50855), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 6.0.16 or 6.1.2 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 82b39df5ddb298daaf6dc504032ff7eb027fa106/6a1504dd36cd9a0a69250d61da8bdb17b29f1fe8/e89f3edffb860a0f54a9ed16deadb7a4a1fa3862 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 databases at Tenable (280800) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-2941). Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

Affected

• Debian Linux
• Amazon Linux 2
• IBM Power Hardware Management Console
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux
• Ubuntu Linux
• SUSE Linux
• Oracle Linux
• Open Source Linux Kernel
• RESF Rocky Linux
• IBM DataPower Gateway

Productinfo

Type

• Operating System

Vendor

• Linux

Name

• Kernel

Version

• 6.0.0
• 6.0.1
• 6.0.2
• 6.0.3
• 6.0.4
• 6.0.5
• 6.0.6
• 6.0.7
• 6.0.8
• 6.0.9
• 6.0.10
• 6.0.11
• 6.0.12
• 6.0.13
• 6.0.14
• 6.0.15
• 6.1.0
• 6.1.1

License

• open-source

Website

• Vendor: https://www.kernel.org/

CPE 2.3info

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CPE 2.2info

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Entryinfo

Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

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