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CVE Record

CVE-2022-49899: fscrypt: stop using keyrings subsystem for fscrypt_master_key

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: fscrypt: stop using keyrings subsystem for fscrypt_master_key The approach of fs/crypto/ internally managing the fscrypt_master_key structs as the payloads of "struct key" objects contained in a "struct key" keyring has outlived its usefulness. The original idea was to simplify the code by reusing code from the keyrings subsystem. However, several issues have arisen that can't easily be resolved: - When a master key struct is destroyed, blk_crypto_evict_key() must be called on any per-mode keys embedded in it. (This started being the case when inline encryption support was added.) Yet, the keyrings subsystem can arbitrarily delay the destruction of keys, even past the time the filesystem was unmounted. Therefore, currently there is no easy way to call blk_crypto_evict_key() when a master key is destroyed. Currently, this is worked around by holding an extra reference to the filesystem's request_queue(s). But it was overlooked that the request_queue reference is *not* guaranteed to pin the corresponding blk_crypto_profile too; for device-mapper devices that support inline crypto, it doesn't. This can cause a use-after-free. - When the last inode that was using an incompletely-removed master key is evicted, the master key removal is completed by removing the key struct from the keyring. Currently this is done via key_invalidate(). Yet, key_invalidate() takes the key semaphore. This can deadlock when called from the shrinker, since in fscrypt_ioctl_add_key(), memory is allocated with GFP_KERNEL under the same semaphore. - More generally, the fact that the keyrings subsystem can arbitrarily delay the destruction of keys (via garbage collection delay, or via random processes getting temporary key references) is undesirable, as it means we can't strictly guarantee that all secrets are ever wiped. - Doing the master key lookups via the keyrings subsystem results in the key_permission LSM hook being called. fscrypt doesn't want this, as all access control for encrypted files is designed to happen via the files themselves, like any other files. The workaround which SELinux users are using is to change their SELinux policy to grant key search access to all domains. This works, but it is an odd extra step that shouldn't really have to be done. The fix for all these issues is to change the implementation to what I should have done originally: don't use the keyrings subsystem to keep track of the filesystem's fscrypt_master_key structs. Instead, just store them in a regular kernel data structure, and rework the reference counting, locking, and lifetime accordingly. Retain support for RCU-mode key lookups by using a hash table. Replace fscrypt_sb_free() with fscrypt_sb_delete(), which releases the keys synchronously and runs a bit earlier during unmount, so that block devices are still available. A side effect of this patch is that neither the master keys themselves nor the filesystem keyrings will be listed in /proc/keys anymore. ("Master key users" and the master key users keyrings will still be listed.) However, this was mostly an implementation detail, and it was intended just for debugging purposes. I don't know of anyone using it. This patch does *not* change how "master key users" (->mk_users) works; that still uses the keyrings subsystem. That is still needed for key quotas, and changing that isn't necessary to solve the issues listed above. If we decide to change that too, it would be a separate patch. I've marked this as fixing the original commit that added the fscrypt keyring, but as noted above the most important issue that this patch fixes wasn't introduced until the addition of inline encryption support.

MediumCVSS 5.5Not KEV-listedUpdated
Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2022-49899 is a Linux kernel fscrypt flaw where encrypted-filesystem master keys were managed through the keyrings subsystem. That could delay cleanup, create deadlock risk, and in some inline-encryption paths cause use-after-free conditions. The business impact is mainly local availability risk, not remote compromise.

Executive priority

Treat this as a moderate kernel maintenance item. It is not presented as remotely exploitable, but it can affect availability on systems using Linux filesystem encryption. Patch through normal kernel update channels, prioritizing encrypted storage hosts.

Technical view

fscrypt stored fscrypt_master_key objects as struct key payloads in keyrings. Keyring garbage collection and temporary references could outlive filesystem unmount, conflicting with blk_crypto_evict_key() and device-mapper inline crypto lifetime. The fix moves master-key tracking to regular kernel data structures with revised locking, refcounting, hash lookup, and synchronous key release during unmount.

Likely exposure

Exposure is limited to Linux systems with affected kernel versions and fscrypt usage, especially environments using inline encryption or device-mapper inline crypto. The CVSS vector is local, low complexity, and requires low privileges. Exact exposure depends on distribution backports and whether the relevant kernel fix is present.

Exploitation context

The source bundle does not identify active exploitation, and KEV status is false. The vulnerability is local and availability-focused, with no cited confidentiality or integrity impact. Public sources provided describe the fix and root cause, not exploitation in the wild.

Researcher notes

The key evidence is the kernel fix rationale: delayed keyring destruction prevented reliable synchronous cleanup of fscrypt master keys. The most important stated issue is a possible use-after-free involving blk_crypto_profile lifetime with device-mapper inline crypto. Evidence is incomplete for exploitability beyond local availability impact.

Mitigation direction

  • Update to a vendor kernel containing the fscrypt master-key keyring removal fix.
  • Prioritize hosts using fscrypt, inline encryption, or device-mapper inline crypto.
  • Check distribution advisories because kernel fixes may be backported without version changes.
  • Avoid direct deploy assumptions; follow the operating-system vendor’s kernel guidance.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Linux kernel versions and identify systems using fscrypt encrypted filesystems.
  • Verify the running kernel includes one of the referenced stable commits or a vendor backport.
  • Confirm affected fleets using device-mapper inline crypto are patched first.
  • Review operational monitoring for local kernel crashes or deadlocks around fscrypt key removal.
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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CVE-2022-49899 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Medium
CVSS
5.5 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

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

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
5.5CVSS 3.1MediumCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H1.83.6CISA-ADP

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

5.5Medium
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2022-49899Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/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
LinuxLinux22d94f493bfb408fdd764f7b1d0363af2122fba5, 22d94f493bfb408fdd764f7b1d0363af2122fba5, 22d94f493bfb408fdd764f7b1d0363af2122fba5, 22d94f493bfb408fdd764f7b1d0363af2122fba5unaffected
LinuxLinux5.4, 0, 5.10.154, 5.15.78, 6.0.8, 6.1affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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