CVE-2022-49840: bpf, test_run: Fix alignment problem in bpf_prog_test_run_skb()
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
bpf, test_run: Fix alignment problem in bpf_prog_test_run_skb()
We got a syzkaller problem because of aarch64 alignment fault
if KFENCE enabled. When the size from user bpf program is an odd
number, like 399, 407, etc, it will cause the struct skb_shared_info's
unaligned access. As seen below:
BUG: KFENCE: use-after-free read in __skb_clone+0x23c/0x2a0 net/core/skbuff.c:1032
Use-after-free read at 0xffff6254fffac077 (in kfence-#213):
__lse_atomic_add arch/arm64/include/asm/atomic_lse.h:26 [inline]
arch_atomic_add arch/arm64/include/asm/atomic.h:28 [inline]
arch_atomic_inc include/linux/atomic-arch-fallback.h:270 [inline]
atomic_inc include/asm-generic/atomic-instrumented.h:241 [inline]
__skb_clone+0x23c/0x2a0 net/core/skbuff.c:1032
skb_clone+0xf4/0x214 net/core/skbuff.c:1481
____bpf_clone_redirect net/core/filter.c:2433 [inline]
bpf_clone_redirect+0x78/0x1c0 net/core/filter.c:2420
bpf_prog_d3839dd9068ceb51+0x80/0x330
bpf_dispatcher_nop_func include/linux/bpf.h:728 [inline]
bpf_test_run+0x3c0/0x6c0 net/bpf/test_run.c:53
bpf_prog_test_run_skb+0x638/0xa7c net/bpf/test_run.c:594
bpf_prog_test_run kernel/bpf/syscall.c:3148 [inline]
__do_sys_bpf kernel/bpf/syscall.c:4441 [inline]
__se_sys_bpf+0xad0/0x1634 kernel/bpf/syscall.c:4381
kfence-#213: 0xffff6254fffac000-0xffff6254fffac196, size=407, cache=kmalloc-512
allocated by task 15074 on cpu 0 at 1342.585390s:
kmalloc include/linux/slab.h:568 [inline]
kzalloc include/linux/slab.h:675 [inline]
bpf_test_init.isra.0+0xac/0x290 net/bpf/test_run.c:191
bpf_prog_test_run_skb+0x11c/0xa7c net/bpf/test_run.c:512
bpf_prog_test_run kernel/bpf/syscall.c:3148 [inline]
__do_sys_bpf kernel/bpf/syscall.c:4441 [inline]
__se_sys_bpf+0xad0/0x1634 kernel/bpf/syscall.c:4381
__arm64_sys_bpf+0x50/0x60 kernel/bpf/syscall.c:4381
To fix the problem, we adjust @size so that (@size + @hearoom) is a
multiple of SMP_CACHE_BYTES. So we make sure the struct skb_shared_info
is aligned to a cache line.
Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This is a Linux kernel flaw in BPF test-run handling. A local user with enough privilege to interact with BPF could trigger memory corruption behavior, with potential confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact. The source does not show remote exploitation or confirmed active exploitation.
Executive priority
Treat as a high-priority local kernel patching item, especially for shared systems and container hosts. It is not presented as internet-exploitable in the supplied evidence, but kernel memory-safety flaws can support privilege escalation chains.
Technical view
The bug is an alignment issue in bpf_prog_test_run_skb(). Odd user-supplied sizes could place skb_shared_info unaligned, producing an aarch64 KFENCE-reported use-after-free read path through __skb_clone(). The fix aligns size plus headroom to SMP_CACHE_BYTES.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most relevant on Linux systems running affected kernel versions where local users, services, or containers can reach BPF program test-run functionality. The bundle lists affected Linux kernel ranges and stable fixes, but not distribution package names.
Exploitation context
The CVSS vector is local, low complexity, low privilege, and no user interaction. KEV is false, and the provided sources do not claim active exploitation. Evidence describes syzkaller discovery and kernel crash diagnostics, not public weaponization.
Researcher notes
The affected-version data is commit and kernel-range oriented, not distro-specific. The observed failure involved aarch64 with KFENCE and odd skb test input sizes. Do not scope exposure only to KFENCE systems unless vendor analysis confirms that limitation.
Mitigation direction
Apply Linux kernel or distribution updates containing the referenced stable fixes.
Check vendor advisories for exact fixed package versions in your distribution.
Reduce untrusted local access to affected hosts until patched.
Review BPF access hardening according to your Linux vendor guidance.
Validation and detection
Inventory Linux kernel versions across servers, containers hosts, and appliances.
Confirm whether deployed kernels include one of the referenced stable commits.
Check distribution changelogs or advisories for CVE-2022-49840 coverage.
Prioritize validation on aarch64 systems and hosts with BPF-enabled workloads.
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-416: Exact CWE lookup
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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
8Source 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.
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.