CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2022-0492Exploited in the wildNVD status: Analyzed

Linux Kernel Improper Authentication

Published Updated By the CyberSecBulletin desk

CVE-2022-0492 is a high-severity missing authorization vulnerability in kernel, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 out of 10. It can be exploited with local access to the system by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. Affected kernel versions: kernel 5.17 rc3. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. CISA added it to the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue on June 2, 2026, which means attacks have been observed in the wild.

Patch now

Attackers are already exploiting this vulnerability, according to CISA.

What to do

  1. Update Linux Kernel to 4.9.301 or 4.14.266 or 4.19.229 or 5.4.177, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
  2. CISA's required action: Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
  3. Read the advisory on git.kernel.org for workarounds and exact fixed builds.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
Kernelkernelkernel 5.17 rc3Not stated
NetAppH300s FirmwareNot specified in the recordNot stated
NetAppH410c FirmwareNot specified in the recordNot stated
NetAppH410s FirmwareNot specified in the recordNot stated
NetAppH500s FirmwareNot specified in the recordNot stated
NetAppH700s FirmwareNot specified in the recordNot stated
NetAppBootstrap OSNot specified in the recordNot stated
LinuxLinux Kernel2.6.24 up to, but not including, 4.9.301; 4.10 up to, but not including, 4.14.266; 4.15 up to, but not including, 4.19.229; 4.20 up to, but not including, 5.4.177; 5.5 up to, but not including, 5.10.97; 5.11 up to, but not including, 5.15.20; 5.16 up to, but not including, 5.16.6; 5.174.9.301, 4.14.266, 4.19.229, 5.4.177, 5.10.97, 5.15.20
DebianDebian Linux9.0; 10.0; 11.0Not stated
Red HatCodeready Linux Builder8.0; 8.2Not stated
Red HatCodeready Linux Builder For Power Little Endian8.0; 8.2Not stated
Red HatVirtualization Host4.0Not stated
Red HatEnterprise Linux8.0Not stated
Red HatEnterprise Linux EUS8.2Not stated
Red HatEnterprise Linux For IBM Z Systems8.0Not stated
Red HatEnterprise Linux For IBM Z Systems EUS8.0Not stated
Red HatEnterprise Linux For Power Little Endian8.0Not stated
Red HatEnterprise Linux For Power Little Endian EUS8.0Not stated
Red HatEnterprise Linux For Real Time For Nfv TUS8.0; 8.2Not stated
Red HatEnterprise Linux For Real Time TUS8.0; 8.2Not stated
Red HatEnterprise Linux Server AUS8.2Not stated
Red HatEnterprise Linux Server For Power Little Endian Update Services For SAP Solutions8.1; 8.2Not stated
Red HatEnterprise Linux Server TUS8.2Not stated
Red HatEnterprise Linux Server Update Services For SAP Solutions8.1; 8.2Not stated
CanonicalUbuntu Linux14.04; 16.04; 18.04; 20.04; 22.04Not stated

Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE; 3 further products are omitted here. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.

How the severity score breaks down

Attack vector
LocalThe attacker needs local access or must trick a user into running something.
Attack complexity
LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
Privileges required
LowA basic user account is enough.
User interaction
NoneNo action by a victim is required.
Scope
UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
Confidentiality
HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
Integrity
HighData or code can be modified at will.
Availability
HighThe component can be taken down completely.

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.

Scoring systemScoreSeverityScored by
CVSS 3.17.8HighNVD
CVSS 3.17.8HighCISA (ADP)
CVSS 2.06.9MediumNVD

Official description

A vulnerability was found in the Linux kernel’s cgroup_release_agent_write in the kernel/cgroup/cgroup-v1.c function. This flaw, under certain circumstances, allows the use of the cgroups v1 release_agent feature to escalate privileges and bypass the namespace isolation unexpectedly.

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: Missing Authorization

The product does not perform an authorization check when an actor attempts to access a resource or perform an action.

How developers prevent this class of flaw

  • Divide the product into anonymous, normal, privileged, and administrative areas. Reduce the attack surface by carefully mapping roles with data and functionality. Use role-based access control (RBAC) to enforce the roles at the appropriate boundaries. Note that this approach may not protect against horizontal authorization, i.e., it will not protect a user from attacking others with the same role.
  • Ensure that access control checks are performed related to the business logic. These checks may be different than the access control checks that are applied to more generic resources such as files, connections, processes, memory, and database records. For example, a database may restrict access for medical records to a specific database user, but each record might only be intended to be accessible to the patient and the patient's doctor.
  • Use a vetted library or framework that does not allow this weakness to occur or provides constructs that make this weakness easier to avoid. For example, consider using authorization frameworks such as the JAAS Authorization Framework and the OWASP ESAPI Access Control feature.

More Missing Authorization vulnerabilities (CWE-862)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: active, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
  3. Added to CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalogue.
  4. Deadline for US federal agencies to remediate, set by CISA.
  5. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Patches and release notes

Technical write-ups (may include proof of concept)

Other vulnerabilities in kernel

All kernel vulnerabilities

Recent Missing Authorization vulnerabilities

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