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CVE Record

CVE-2022-49236: bpf: Fix UAF due to race between btf_try_get_module and load_module

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: bpf: Fix UAF due to race between btf_try_get_module and load_module While working on code to populate kfunc BTF ID sets for module BTF from its initcall, I noticed that by the time the initcall is invoked, the module BTF can already be seen by userspace (and the BPF verifier). The existing btf_try_get_module calls try_module_get which only fails if mod->state == MODULE_STATE_GOING, i.e. it can increment module reference when module initcall is happening in parallel. Currently, BTF parsing happens from MODULE_STATE_COMING notifier callback. At this point, the module initcalls have not been invoked. The notifier callback parses and prepares the module BTF, allocates an ID, which publishes it to userspace, and then adds it to the btf_modules list allowing the kernel to invoke btf_try_get_module for the BTF. However, at this point, the module has not been fully initialized (i.e. its initcalls have not finished). The code in module.c can still fail and free the module, without caring for other users. However, nothing stops btf_try_get_module from succeeding between the state transition from MODULE_STATE_COMING to MODULE_STATE_LIVE. This leads to a use-after-free issue when BPF program loads successfully in the state transition, load_module's do_init_module call fails and frees the module, and BPF program fd on close calls module_put for the freed module. Future patch has test case to verify we don't regress in this area in future. There are multiple points after prepare_coming_module (in load_module) where failure can occur and module loading can return error. We illustrate and test for the race using the last point where it can practically occur (in module __init function). An illustration of the race: CPU 0 CPU 1 load_module notifier_call(MODULE_STATE_COMING) btf_parse_module btf_alloc_id // Published to userspace list_add(&btf_mod->list, btf_modules) mod->init(...) ... ^ bpf_check | check_pseudo_btf_id | btf_try_get_module | returns true | ... ... | module __init in progress return prog_fd | ... ... V if (ret < 0) free_module(mod) ... close(prog_fd) ... bpf_prog_free_deferred module_put(used_btf.mod) // use-after-free We fix this issue by setting a flag BTF_MODULE_F_LIVE, from the notifier callback when MODULE_STATE_LIVE state is reached for the module, so that we return NULL from btf_try_get_module for modules that are not fully formed. Since try_module_get already checks that module is not in MODULE_STATE_GOING state, and that is the only transition a live module can make before being removed from btf_modules list, this is enough to close the race and prevent the bug. A later selftest patch crafts the race condition artifically to verify that it has been fixed, and that verifier fails to load program (with ENXIO). Lastly, a couple of comments: 1. Even if this race didn't exist, it seems more appropriate to only access resources (ksyms and kfuncs) of a fully formed module which has been initialized completely. 2. This patch was born out of need for synchronization against module initcall for the next patch, so it is needed for correctness even without the aforementioned race condition. The BTF resources initialized by module initcall are set up once and then only looked up, so just waiting until the initcall has finished ensures correct behavior.

HighCVSS 7.8Not KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This is a Linux kernel memory-safety flaw in BPF/BTF handling. A local authenticated user may trigger a race while a kernel module is loading, causing use-after-free behavior. Because kernel memory corruption can affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability, affected Linux hosts should be prioritized for kernel update validation.

Executive priority

High priority for Linux fleets with multi-user access, container workloads, or untrusted local code. The issue requires local access, so it is usually below remote-code-execution emergencies, but kernel compromise impact justifies prompt patch tracking and deployment.

Technical view

The flaw is a race between btf_try_get_module and load_module. Module BTF can be published before module init completes, allowing BPF verifier references to a module that may later fail initialization and be freed. Closing the BPF program file can then call module_put on freed memory.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most relevant on Linux systems running affected kernel versions where local users or workloads can use BPF features and kernel modules are loaded. Containers may matter if host BPF access is available. The source bundle does not identify affected distributions.

Exploitation context

The CVSS vector is local, low complexity, low privileges, and no user interaction. The bundle marks KEV as false and provides no evidence of active exploitation. Treat it as a serious local privilege and kernel-stability risk, not a confirmed in-the-wild campaign.

Researcher notes

Focus validation on kernel branches carrying BPF module BTF support. The fix gates btf_try_get_module on BTF_MODULE_F_LIVE so only fully initialized modules are referenced. Evidence includes the race description and stable kernel commits, but no distribution matrix or exploit report.

Mitigation direction

  • Update to a kernel containing the referenced stable fixes.
  • Check Linux vendor advisories for distribution-specific fixed package versions.
  • Restrict untrusted local access to BPF where operationally feasible.
  • Reduce unnecessary kernel module loading on exposed multi-user systems.
  • Prioritize shared hosts, developer workstations, and container platforms.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Linux kernel versions across affected fleets.
  • Confirm whether vendor kernels include the referenced stable commits.
  • Review BPF access posture for untrusted users or containers.
  • Check module-loading paths on multi-tenant systems.
  • Run vendor-supported regression tests after kernel updates.
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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cwe · low confidence lookup

CWE-416: Exact CWE lookup

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cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2022-49236 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
High
CVSS
7.8 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

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

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
7.8CVSS 3.1HighCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H1.85.9CISA-ADP

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

7.8High
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2022-49236Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/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
LinuxLinux541c3bad8dc51b253ba8686d0cd7628e6b9b5f4c, 541c3bad8dc51b253ba8686d0cd7628e6b9b5f4c, 541c3bad8dc51b253ba8686d0cd7628e6b9b5f4c, 541c3bad8dc51b253ba8686d0cd7628e6b9b5f4cunaffected
LinuxLinux5.12, 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-416 · source CWE mapping

Use After Free

Use After Free represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.