LiveActive security incident?Get immediate response
CVE Record

CVE-2022-48740: selinux: fix double free of cond_list on error paths

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: selinux: fix double free of cond_list on error paths On error path from cond_read_list() and duplicate_policydb_cond_list() the cond_list_destroy() gets called a second time in caller functions, resulting in NULL pointer deref. Fix this by resetting the cond_list_len to 0 in cond_list_destroy(), making subsequent calls a noop. Also consistently reset the cond_list pointer to NULL after freeing. [PM: fix line lengths in the description]

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
Discuss exposureBack to CVEs
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysisunknown

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2022-48740 is a Linux kernel SELinux bug where cleanup code could run twice on certain error paths. The public record describes a NULL pointer dereference after freeing SELinux conditional policy data. Business impact is not fully scored, but the most plausible concern from the description is system stability or denial of service if the vulnerable path is reachable.

Executive priority

Treat this as a measured patch-management item, not an emergency based on current evidence. Prioritize normal kernel update cycles for systems where uptime matters or SELinux is enabled, and escalate only if vendor advisories add severity, exploitability, or operational impact details.

Technical view

The flaw is in SELinux handling of cond_list during cond_read_list() and duplicate_policydb_cond_list() error paths. cond_list_destroy() could be called again by callers, causing a NULL pointer dereference. Kernel stable fixes make repeated destruction a no-op by resetting cond_list_len and consistently clearing cond_list after free.

Likely exposure

Exposure applies to Linux systems running affected kernel builds with SELinux code present. The source bundle lists Linux kernel versions and stable fix commits, but does not provide distro package mappings, exploit prerequisites, CVSS, or a precise affected-version table usable for every environment.

Exploitation context

CISA KEV is false, and the provided sources do not report active exploitation or public exploit availability. The record describes an error-path memory cleanup flaw leading to NULL pointer dereference, not a confirmed privilege escalation or remote compromise path.

Researcher notes

The source evidence is narrow: it identifies SELinux conditional-list cleanup error paths and stable commits, but lacks CVSS, CWE, exploitability analysis, and runtime prerequisites. Validation should focus on kernel lineage, SELinux configuration, and whether vendor backports include the cond_list_destroy() hardening.

Mitigation direction

  • Update affected Linux kernels to vendor builds containing the referenced stable fixes.
  • Check your Linux distribution advisory for exact fixed package versions.
  • Prioritize internet-facing or high-availability Linux systems using SELinux.
  • Do not deploy unvalidated kernel workarounds without vendor guidance.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory kernel versions across Linux hosts and containers using host kernels.
  • Confirm whether SELinux is enabled on affected systems.
  • Map installed kernel packages to vendor advisories or stable fix commits.
  • Review crash logs for SELinux-related NULL pointer dereferences.
  • Track remediation status separately for each kernel release stream.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
6

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.

ATT&CK lookup starting points

Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.

cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2022-48740 mapping review

Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.

Open ATT&CK lookup
Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Unknown
CVSS
Not scored
Known Exploited
No
Published
Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

0CVSS vectors
3Timeline events
2ADP providers
5Source links

SSVC decision data

CISA-ADPCISA Coordinator
Timestamp
Version
2.0.3
Exploitation: noneAutomatable: noTechnical Impact: partial

Vulnerability timeline

Timeline events are normalized from CVE metadata, CNA source timelines, ADP timelines, and KEV metadata when present.

  1. CVE reservedCVE Program

    The CVE ID was reserved by the assigning CNA.

  2. CVE publishedCVE Program

    The CVE record was published.

  3. CVE updatedCVE Program

    The CVE record metadata indicates this as the latest update time.

ADP provider summaries

CISA-ADPCISA ADP Vulnrichment
other:ssvc
CVECVE Program Container

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinux60abd3181db29ea81742106cc0ac2e27fd05b418, 60abd3181db29ea81742106cc0ac2e27fd05b418, 60abd3181db29ea81742106cc0ac2e27fd05b418, 60abd3181db29ea81742106cc0ac2e27fd05b418unaffected
LinuxLinux5.7, 0, 5.10.99, 5.15.22, 5.16.8, 5.17affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.