Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2022-49541 is a Linux kernel flaw in the CIFS/SMB client mount path. A failed mount can trigger a double free, a memory-management error. The CVSS score is high because a local low-privileged user may be able to cause serious confidentiality, integrity, or availability impact on affected systems.
Executive priority
Treat as high priority for Linux systems with local user access, especially shared infrastructure. It is less urgent than internet-exposed remote flaws, but kernel memory bugs can have severe business impact. Patch through normal emergency or accelerated kernel maintenance based on local-user exposure.
Technical view
The issue is CWE-415 double free in Linux kernel CIFS handling during failed mounts. The record lists local attack vector, low complexity, low privileges, no user interaction, and CVSS 3.1 score 7.8. Stable kernel commits are referenced as fixes. No KEV listing or provided source indicates active exploitation.
Likely exposure
Systems running affected Linux kernel versions with CIFS/SMB client functionality are the main concern, especially multi-user hosts or environments where non-admin users can initiate or influence CIFS mount attempts. Exposure depends on kernel version, distribution backports, and local access controls.
Exploitation context
This is a local vulnerability requiring low privileges and no user interaction, according to the CVSS vector. The provided sources do not show remote exploitation or active exploitation. Practical impact may include kernel crash or broader compromise if the memory corruption is exploitable on a given build.
Researcher notes
Evidence is limited to the CVE record and Linux stable commit references. The record names a double free during failed CIFS mount and provides high CVSS. It does not provide exploit details, a public exploit claim, or distro-specific fixed package mapping. Validate against downstream vendor backports.
Mitigation direction
- Update to a vendor-supported kernel containing the referenced stable CIFS fixes.
- Check your Linux distribution advisory for backported fixes and exact package versions.
- Restrict unnecessary CIFS mount capability for untrusted local users.
- Prioritize shared servers, developer workstations, and multi-tenant Linux systems.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Linux kernel versions across servers and endpoints.
- Identify systems using or loading the CIFS kernel client.
- Compare installed kernels against vendor fixed versions or referenced stable commits.
- Confirm patched kernels are booted, not just installed.
- Review local mount permissions and CIFS-related operational need.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
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.
CWE-415: Exact CWE lookup
Use the exact CWE identifier as the starting point before reviewing related ATT&CK behavior. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2022-49541 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- 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
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.
SSVC decision data
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe 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.
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H1.85.9CISA-ADPVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
7.8HighVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Vulnerability timeline
Timeline events are normalized from CVE metadata, CNA source timelines, ADP timelines, and KEV metadata when present.
- CVE reservedCVE Program
The CVE ID was reserved by the assigning CNA.
- CVE publishedCVE Program
The CVE record was published.
- CVE updatedCVE Program
The CVE record metadata indicates this as the latest update time.
ADP provider summaries
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/ce0008a0e410cdd95f0d8cd81b2902ec10a660c4CVE reference, Linux
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/9a167fc440e5693c1cdd7f07071e05658bd9d89dCVE reference, Linux
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/ee71f8f1cd3c8c4a251fd3e8abc89215ae3457cbCVE reference, Linux
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/8378a51e3f8140f60901fb27208cc7a6e47047b5CVE reference, Linux
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
Double Free
Double Free represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.