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