CVE-2022-50219: linux kernel vulnerability

What is known

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: bpf: Fix KASAN use-after-free Read in compute_effective_progs Syzbot found a Use After Free bug in compute_effective_progs(). The reproducer creates a number of BPF links, and causes a fault injected alloc to fail, while calling bpf_link_detach on them. Link detach triggers the link to be freed by bpf_link_free(), which calls __cgroup_bpf_detach() and update_effective_progs(). If the memory allocation in this function fails, the function restores the pointer to the bpf_cgroup_link on the cgroup list, but the memory gets freed just after it returns. After this, every subsequent call to update_effective_progs() causes this already deallocated pointer to be dereferenced in prog_list_length(), and triggers KASAN UAF error. To fix this issue don't preserve the pointer to the prog or link in the list, but remove it and replace it with a dummy prog without shrinking the table. The subsequent call to __cgroup_bpf_detach() or __cgroup_bpf_detach() will correct it.

Business impact

Successful exploitation of CVE-2022-50219, a high vulnerability (CVSS 7.8) affecting linux kernel, may affect the confidentiality, integrity or availability of the vulnerable environment. The exact impact depends on the installed version, exposed interfaces and deployment configuration.

Recommended administrator action

Confirm whether linux kernel is present and compare installed versions with the vendor advisory and NVD record. Apply the vendor patch or documented mitigation; until remediation is complete, reduce exposure of affected interfaces, review relevant logs and monitor for indicators of exploitation. DataHouse can support version verification, managed patching, network exposure reduction, log review and backup validation for dedicated, cloud and colocated environments.

Sources

• NVD
• Reference
• Reference
• Reference
• Reference
• Reference