CVE-2022-49443: list: fix a data-race around ep->rdllist
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
list: fix a data-race around ep->rdllist
ep_poll() first calls ep_events_available() with no lock held and checks
if ep->rdllist is empty by list_empty_careful(), which reads
rdllist->prev. Thus all accesses to it need some protection to avoid
store/load-tearing.
Note INIT_LIST_HEAD_RCU() already has the annotation for both prev
and next.
Commit bf3b9f6372c4 ("epoll: Add busy poll support to epoll with socket
fds.") added the first lockless ep_events_available(), and commit
c5a282e9635e ("fs/epoll: reduce the scope of wq lock in epoll_wait()")
made some ep_events_available() calls lockless and added single call under
a lock, finally commit e59d3c64cba6 ("epoll: eliminate unnecessary lock
for zero timeout") made the last ep_events_available() lockless.
BUG: KCSAN: data-race in do_epoll_wait / do_epoll_wait
write to 0xffff88810480c7d8 of 8 bytes by task 1802 on cpu 0:
INIT_LIST_HEAD include/linux/list.h:38 [inline]
list_splice_init include/linux/list.h:492 [inline]
ep_start_scan fs/eventpoll.c:622 [inline]
ep_send_events fs/eventpoll.c:1656 [inline]
ep_poll fs/eventpoll.c:1806 [inline]
do_epoll_wait+0x4eb/0xf40 fs/eventpoll.c:2234
do_epoll_pwait fs/eventpoll.c:2268 [inline]
__do_sys_epoll_pwait fs/eventpoll.c:2281 [inline]
__se_sys_epoll_pwait+0x12b/0x240 fs/eventpoll.c:2275
__x64_sys_epoll_pwait+0x74/0x80 fs/eventpoll.c:2275
do_syscall_x64 arch/x86/entry/common.c:50 [inline]
do_syscall_64+0x44/0xd0 arch/x86/entry/common.c:80
entry_SYSCALL_64_after_hwframe+0x44/0xae
read to 0xffff88810480c7d8 of 8 bytes by task 1799 on cpu 1:
list_empty_careful include/linux/list.h:329 [inline]
ep_events_available fs/eventpoll.c:381 [inline]
ep_poll fs/eventpoll.c:1797 [inline]
do_epoll_wait+0x279/0xf40 fs/eventpoll.c:2234
do_epoll_pwait fs/eventpoll.c:2268 [inline]
__do_sys_epoll_pwait fs/eventpoll.c:2281 [inline]
__se_sys_epoll_pwait+0x12b/0x240 fs/eventpoll.c:2275
__x64_sys_epoll_pwait+0x74/0x80 fs/eventpoll.c:2275
do_syscall_x64 arch/x86/entry/common.c:50 [inline]
do_syscall_64+0x44/0xd0 arch/x86/entry/common.c:80
entry_SYSCALL_64_after_hwframe+0x44/0xae
value changed: 0xffff88810480c7d0 -> 0xffff888103c15098
Reported by Kernel Concurrency Sanitizer on:
CPU: 1 PID: 1799 Comm: syz-fuzzer Tainted: G W 5.17.0-rc7-syzkaller-dirty #0
Hardware name: Google Google Compute Engine/Google Compute Engine, BIOS Google 01/01/2011
Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2022-49443 is a Linux kernel race condition in epoll. A local low-privileged user could potentially trigger a difficult timing issue that affects availability, not data theft or modification, based on the CVSS vector.
Executive priority
Treat as a routine but real kernel availability fix. It is not supported as remotely exploitable or actively exploited, but multi-user Linux platforms should receive priority patching.
Technical view
The flaw is a CWE-362 data race around eventpoll ep->rdllist. Lockless ep_events_available() reads rdllist state while epoll paths can reinitialize or splice the list. KCSAN reported the race in do_epoll_wait on a syz-fuzzer kernel.
Likely exposure
Exposure is limited to Linux systems running affected kernel code and allowing local users or workloads to exercise epoll. Internet-facing exposure is not indicated by the sources.
Exploitation context
The source bundle reports KEV false and provides no evidence of active exploitation. The CVSS vector is local, high complexity, low privileges, no user interaction, and high availability impact.
Researcher notes
Evidence is strongest for a concurrency bug detected by KCSAN and syz-fuzzer. The bundle does not include exploitability analysis beyond CVSS, so validation should focus on affected kernel lineage and vendor-fixed builds.
Mitigation direction
Apply vendor Linux kernel updates that include the referenced stable fixes.
Prioritize shared servers, container hosts, and systems with untrusted local workloads.
Check distribution advisories before assuming upstream version labels map directly to your fleet.
Use normal change windows unless local multi-tenant availability risk is high.
Validation and detection
Inventory kernel versions across Linux hosts and container nodes.
Compare installed kernels with vendor guidance for CVE-2022-49443.
Review whether systems allow untrusted local shell, jobs, or containers.
Confirm patched hosts booted into the updated kernel, not only installed it.
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
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cwe · low confidence lookup
CWE-362: Exact CWE lookup
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CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
CWE-362 · source CWE mapping
Concurrent Execution using Shared Resource with Improper Synchronization ('Race Condition')
Concurrent Execution using Shared Resource with Improper Synchronization ('Race Condition') represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.