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CVE-2022-49890

5.5 · MEDIUM
Published May 1, 2025 linux CWE-401 EPSS 0.21% (11th pctl)

Overview

CVE-2022-49890 is a medium-severity vulnerability affecting linux linux_kernel. It was published on May 1, 2025 and has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 5.5 (MEDIUM).

This vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 5.5, rated MEDIUM. It requires local or adjacent network access to exploit. Some level of privileges is required for exploitation.

Technical Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:

capabilities: fix potential memleak on error path from vfs_getxattr_alloc()

In cap_inode_getsecurity(), we will use vfs_getxattr_alloc() to

complete the memory allocation of tmpbuf, if we have completed

the memory allocation of tmpbuf, but failed to call handler->get(...),

there will be a memleak in below logic:

|-- ret = (int)vfs_getxattr_alloc(mnt_userns, ...)

| /* ^^^ alloc for tmpbuf */

|-- value = krealloc(*xattr_value, error + 1, flags)

| /* ^^^ alloc memory */

|-- error = handler->get(handler, ...)

| /* error! */

|-- *xattr_value = value

| /* xattr_value is &tmpbuf (memory leak!) */

So we will try to free(tmpbuf) after vfs_getxattr_alloc() fails to fix it.

[PM: subject line and backtrace tweaks]

Remediation

Check the references section for vendor advisories and patches from linux. Update linux_kernel to the latest patched version. If immediate patching is not possible, review the CVSS vector to understand the attack surface and apply compensating controls such as network segmentation or access restrictions.

Affected Products

Vendor Product Versions Status
linux linux_kernel >= 4.14, < 4.14.299 Affected

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2022-49890?

CVE-2022-49890 is a medium-severity vulnerability affecting linux linux_kernel. It was published on May 1, 2025 and has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 5.5 (MEDIUM).

How severe is CVE-2022-49890?

This vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 5.5, rated MEDIUM. It requires local or adjacent network access to exploit. Some level of privileges is required for exploitation.

How do I fix or remediate CVE-2022-49890?

Check the references section for vendor advisories and patches from linux. Update linux_kernel to the latest patched version. If immediate patching is not possible, review the CVSS vector to understand the attack surface and apply compensating controls such as network segmentation or access restrictions.

How can CyberStrike help with CVE-2022-49890?

CyberStrike's AI-powered security agents can automatically detect CVE-2022-49890 across your infrastructure using autonomous pentesting, DAST scanning, and HackBrowser. The platform continuously monitors for known vulnerabilities and provides actionable remediation guidance prioritized by real-world exploitability.