CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2022-4139NVD status: Modified

kernel: Missing Release of Memory after Effective Lifetime

Published Updated By the CyberSecBulletin desk

CVE-2022-4139 is a high-severity missing release of memory after effective lifetime 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 6.1-rc7. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.27% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.

Next patch cycle

High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.

What to do

  1. Update SIMATIC S7-1500 TM MFP - GNU/Linux subsystem to V1.1 or a later version.
  2. Update Linux Kernel to 5.4.226 or 5.10.157 or 5.15.81 or 6.0.11, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
Kernelkernelkernel 6.1-rc7Not stated
SiemensSIMATIC S7-1500 TM MFP - GNU/Linux subsystembefore V1.1V1.1
LinuxLinux Kernel5.4 up to, but not including, 5.4.226; 5.5 up to, but not including, 5.10.157; 5.11 up to, but not including, 5.15.81; 5.16 up to, but not including, 6.0.11; 6.15.4.226, 5.10.157, 5.15.81, 6.0.11

Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. 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)

Official description

An incorrect TLB flush issue was found in the Linux kernel’s GPU i915 kernel driver, potentially leading to random memory corruption or data leaks. This flaw could allow a local user to crash the system or escalate their privileges on the system.

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

The underlying weakness: Missing Release of Memory after Effective Lifetime

The product does not sufficiently track and release allocated memory after it has been used, making the memory unavailable for reallocation and reuse.

How developers prevent this class of flaw

  • Choose a language or tool that provides automatic memory management, or makes manual memory management less error-prone. For example, glibc in Linux provides protection against free of invalid pointers. When using Xcode to target OS X or iOS, enable automatic reference counting (ARC). To help correctly and consistently manage memory when programming in C++, consider using a smart pointer class such as std
  • Use an abstraction library to abstract away risky APIs. Not a complete solution.
  • Consider using the Boehm-Demers-Weiser garbage collector (bdwgc), which can help avoid leaks.

More Missing Release of Memory after Effective Lifetime vulnerabilities (CWE-401)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Patches and release notes

Third-party and government advisories

Other vulnerabilities in kernel

All kernel vulnerabilities

Recent Missing Release of Memory after Effective Lifetime vulnerabilities

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