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CVE Record

CVE-2022-49911: netfilter: ipset: enforce documented limit to prevent allocating huge memory

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: netfilter: ipset: enforce documented limit to prevent allocating huge memory Daniel Xu reported that the hash:net,iface type of the ipset subsystem does not limit adding the same network with different interfaces to a set, which can lead to huge memory usage or allocation failure. The quick reproducer is $ ipset create ACL.IN.ALL_PERMIT hash:net,iface hashsize 1048576 timeout 0 $ for i in $(seq 0 100); do /sbin/ipset add ACL.IN.ALL_PERMIT 0.0.0.0/0,kaf_$i timeout 0 -exist; done The backtrace when vmalloc fails: [Tue Oct 25 00:13:08 2022] ipset: vmalloc error: size 1073741848, exceeds total pages <...> [Tue Oct 25 00:13:08 2022] Call Trace: [Tue Oct 25 00:13:08 2022] <TASK> [Tue Oct 25 00:13:08 2022] dump_stack_lvl+0x48/0x60 [Tue Oct 25 00:13:08 2022] warn_alloc+0x155/0x180 [Tue Oct 25 00:13:08 2022] __vmalloc_node_range+0x72a/0x760 [Tue Oct 25 00:13:08 2022] ? hash_netiface4_add+0x7c0/0xb20 [Tue Oct 25 00:13:08 2022] ? __kmalloc_large_node+0x4a/0x90 [Tue Oct 25 00:13:08 2022] kvmalloc_node+0xa6/0xd0 [Tue Oct 25 00:13:08 2022] ? hash_netiface4_resize+0x99/0x710 <...> The fix is to enforce the limit documented in the ipset(8) manpage: > The internal restriction of the hash:net,iface set type is that the same > network prefix cannot be stored with more than 64 different interfaces > in a single set.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This Linux kernel issue can let ipset entries consume excessive memory when the same network is added with many interface names. The likely business impact is denial of service or instability on systems using this netfilter feature. Public sources do not provide a CVSS score or active exploitation evidence.

Executive priority

Prioritize normal patching for Linux firewall or network-control hosts. Escalate if affected systems expose ipset management to tenants, customers, or untrusted automation. No source provided evidence of active exploitation or remote unauthenticated compromise.

Technical view

The ipset hash:net,iface type failed to enforce its documented cap of 64 interfaces per network prefix in one set. Repeated entries could trigger very large allocations or allocation failure in kernel memory paths. The kernel fix enforces the documented limit.

Likely exposure

Exposure is most likely on Linux systems using netfilter ipset hash:net,iface sets. Risk is higher where untrusted users, automation, or management interfaces can add ipset entries. The source bundle does not prove broad default exposure.

Exploitation context

The source includes a reproducer and kernel allocation failure trace, but no evidence of exploitation in the wild. CISA KEV status is false in the bundle. Treat this as a resource-exhaustion risk rather than a confirmed active attack campaign.

Researcher notes

The key condition is exceeding the documented 64-interface-per-prefix restriction for hash:net,iface. The fix is behavioral enforcement of that limit. The source bundle lacks CVSS, CWE mapping, detailed version range semantics, and distribution-specific fixed versions.

Mitigation direction

  • Apply vendor kernel updates containing the referenced stable fixes.
  • Check distribution advisories for fixed package versions.
  • Limit who can create or modify ipset sets.
  • Review firewall automation that writes hash:net,iface entries.
  • Monitor hosts for abnormal ipset growth or memory pressure.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory Linux kernels and distribution package versions.
  • Identify systems using ipset hash:net,iface sets.
  • Confirm whether vendor fixes include the referenced kernel commits.
  • Review permissions for services or users that manage ipset.
  • Check logs for vmalloc or memory allocation failures tied to ipset.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
5

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Unknown
CVSS
Not scored
Known Exploited
No
Published
Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

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0CVSS vectors
3Timeline events
0ADP providers
4Source links

Vulnerability timeline

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  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

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Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinuxccf0a4b7fc688561428290265e4effde41446668, ccf0a4b7fc688561428290265e4effde41446668, ccf0a4b7fc688561428290265e4effde41446668unaffected
LinuxLinux5.11, 0, 5.15.78, 6.0.8, 6.1affected
Weakness

CWE details

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