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CVE-2022-49215: xsk: Fix race at socket teardown

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: xsk: Fix race at socket teardown Fix a race in the xsk socket teardown code that can lead to a NULL pointer dereference splat. The current xsk unbind code in xsk_unbind_dev() starts by setting xs->state to XSK_UNBOUND, sets xs->dev to NULL and then waits for any NAPI processing to terminate using synchronize_net(). After that, the release code starts to tear down the socket state and free allocated memory. BUG: kernel NULL pointer dereference, address: 00000000000000c0 PGD 8000000932469067 P4D 8000000932469067 PUD 0 Oops: 0000 [#1] PREEMPT SMP PTI CPU: 25 PID: 69132 Comm: grpcpp_sync_ser Tainted: G I 5.16.0+ #2 Hardware name: Dell Inc. PowerEdge R730/0599V5, BIOS 1.2.10 03/09/2015 RIP: 0010:__xsk_sendmsg+0x2c/0x690 [...] RSP: 0018:ffffa2348bd13d50 EFLAGS: 00010246 RAX: 0000000000000000 RBX: 0000000000000040 RCX: ffff8d5fc632d258 RDX: 0000000000400000 RSI: ffffa2348bd13e10 RDI: ffff8d5fc5489800 RBP: ffffa2348bd13db0 R08: 0000000000000000 R09: 00007ffffffff000 R10: 0000000000000000 R11: 0000000000000000 R12: ffff8d5fc5489800 R13: ffff8d5fcb0f5140 R14: ffff8d5fcb0f5140 R15: 0000000000000000 FS: 00007f991cff9400(0000) GS:ffff8d6f1f700000(0000) knlGS:0000000000000000 CS: 0010 DS: 0000 ES: 0000 CR0: 0000000080050033 CR2: 00000000000000c0 CR3: 0000000114888005 CR4: 00000000001706e0 Call Trace: <TASK> ? aa_sk_perm+0x43/0x1b0 xsk_sendmsg+0xf0/0x110 sock_sendmsg+0x65/0x70 __sys_sendto+0x113/0x190 ? debug_smp_processor_id+0x17/0x20 ? fpregs_assert_state_consistent+0x23/0x50 ? exit_to_user_mode_prepare+0xa5/0x1d0 __x64_sys_sendto+0x29/0x30 do_syscall_64+0x3b/0xc0 entry_SYSCALL_64_after_hwframe+0x44/0xae There are two problems with the current code. First, setting xs->dev to NULL before waiting for all users to stop using the socket is not correct. The entry to the data plane functions xsk_poll(), xsk_sendmsg(), and xsk_recvmsg() are all guarded by a test that xs->state is in the state XSK_BOUND and if not, it returns right away. But one process might have passed this test but still have not gotten to the point in which it uses xs->dev in the code. In this interim, a second process executing xsk_unbind_dev() might have set xs->dev to NULL which will lead to a crash for the first process. The solution here is just to get rid of this NULL assignment since it is not used anymore. Before commit 42fddcc7c64b ("xsk: use state member for socket synchronization"), xs->dev was the gatekeeper to admit processes into the data plane functions, but it was replaced with the state variable xs->state in the aforementioned commit. The second problem is that synchronize_net() does not wait for any process in xsk_poll(), xsk_sendmsg(), or xsk_recvmsg() to complete, which means that the state they rely on might be cleaned up prematurely. This can happen when the notifier gets called (at driver unload for example) as it uses xsk_unbind_dev(). Solve this by extending the RCU critical region from just the ndo_xsk_wakeup to the whole functions mentioned above, so that both the test of xs->state == XSK_BOUND and the last use of any member of xs is covered by the RCU critical section. This will guarantee that when synchronize_net() completes, there will be no processes left executing xsk_poll(), xsk_sendmsg(), or xsk_recvmsg() and state can be cleaned up safely. Note that we need to drop the RCU lock for the skb xmit path as it uses functions that might sleep. Due to this, we have to retest the xs->state after we grab the mutex that protects the skb xmit code from, among a number of things, an xsk_unbind_dev() being executed from the notifier at the same time.

MediumCVSS 4.7Not KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2022-49215 is a Linux kernel bug in AF_XDP socket teardown. A local user could trigger a kernel NULL pointer dereference during a race condition, causing a crash or service disruption. The impact is availability, not data theft or privilege escalation based on the provided sources.

Executive priority

Treat as a routine but important availability fix. Prioritize internet-facing, high-throughput, or network-critical Linux systems where a local service account crash could disrupt operations. No source provided evidence of active exploitation or confidentiality impact.

Technical view

The flaw is a race in xsk_unbind_dev() during XSK socket teardown. xs->dev could be cleared while xsk_poll(), xsk_sendmsg(), or xsk_recvmsg() still use socket state. synchronize_net() did not fully cover these paths. The fix removes the obsolete NULL assignment and extends RCU coverage around relevant data-plane functions.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most relevant to Linux systems running affected kernel versions and using AF_XDP/XSK networking paths. The source lists Linux kernel versions including 5.4, 5.15.33, 5.16.19, 5.17.2, and 5.18 as affected, but distribution backports may change practical status.

Exploitation context

The CVSS vector is local, high complexity, low privileges, no user interaction, with high availability impact. The source bundle does not indicate CISA KEV listing or active exploitation. A plausible outcome is kernel crash during concurrent socket teardown and data-plane activity.

Researcher notes

This is CWE-476. The key issue is teardown synchronization, not memory corruption leading to code execution in the provided record. Validate by code lineage and stable commit presence, especially where vendors backport fixes without changing major kernel versions.

Mitigation direction

  • Apply vendor-provided Linux kernel updates that include the referenced stable fixes.
  • Check distribution advisories for backported fixes before relying on version numbers alone.
  • Prioritize systems using AF_XDP/XSK or high-performance packet processing workloads.
  • If updates are unavailable, consult vendor guidance for supported workarounds.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Linux kernel versions across affected servers and appliances.
  • Confirm whether distribution kernels include the referenced upstream stable commits.
  • Review crash logs for kernel Oops traces involving xsk_sendmsg, xsk_poll, or xsk_recvmsg.
  • Validate AF_XDP/XSK usage in networking applications and drivers.
Prepared
Confidence
high
Sources
6

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

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ATT&CK lookup starting points

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cwe · low confidence lookup

CWE-476: Exact CWE lookup

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cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2022-49215 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Medium
CVSS
4.7 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

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

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.

1CVSS vectors
3Timeline events
1ADP providers
5Source links

SSVC decision data

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

CVSS vector scores

1 official score

We collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.

ScoreVersionSeverityVectorExploitImpactSource
4.7CVSS 3.1MediumCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H13.6CISA-ADP

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

4.7Medium
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2022-49215Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

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

Attack Vector
NetworkAdjacentLocalPhysical
Attack Complexity
LowHigh
Privileges Required
NoneLowHigh
User Interaction
NoneRequired
Scope
ChangedUnchanged
Confidentiality Impact
HighLowNone
Integrity Impact
HighLowNone
Availability Impact
HighLowNone

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
cvssV3_1other:ssvc
Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinux42fddcc7c64b723a867c7b2f5f7505e244212f13, 42fddcc7c64b723a867c7b2f5f7505e244212f13, 42fddcc7c64b723a867c7b2f5f7505e244212f13, 42fddcc7c64b723a867c7b2f5f7505e244212f13unaffected
LinuxLinux5.4, 0, 5.15.33, 5.16.19, 5.17.2, 5.18affected
Weakness

CWE details

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

CWE-476 · source CWE mapping

NULL Pointer Dereference

NULL Pointer Dereference represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.