Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2022-49921 is a Linux kernel use-after-free flaw in the RED network scheduler code. The published CVSS score is 7.8, reflecting potential high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact. It requires local access with low privileges, so urgency is highest for multi-user, shared, or container-heavy Linux environments.
Executive priority
Prioritize in the next normal-to-urgent kernel patch cycle, faster for shared Linux infrastructure. The flaw has high potential impact but requires local access, and public sources provided do not show active exploitation.
Technical view
The issue is in net/sched red_enqueue(). The kernel could use an skb after passing it to qdisc_enqueue(), creating a CWE-416 use-after-free condition. The CVE record lists Linux kernel versions as affected and references stable kernel commits resolving the flaw across supported branches.
Likely exposure
Exposure is limited to Linux systems running affected kernel versions that include the vulnerable RED qdisc code. The source data lists affected kernel lines including 4.7 through 6.1-related versions, but distribution backports may change practical exposure.
Exploitation context
The CVSS vector is local, low attack complexity, low privileges required, and no user interaction. The source bundle does not identify active exploitation, and KEV status is false. Treat this as a serious local kernel risk rather than a confirmed internet-exploited issue.
Researcher notes
Evidence is limited to the CVE record and Linux stable commits. The affected-version data appears commit- and branch-oriented, not a complete distribution matrix. Do not assume exposure from upstream versions alone; validate vendor backports and running kernels.
Mitigation direction
- Apply vendor-provided Linux kernel updates that include the referenced stable fixes.
- Check distribution advisories for backported fixes before relying on upstream version numbers.
- Prioritize shared servers, developer workstations, and container hosts with local user access.
- If patching is delayed, follow vendor guidance for temporary risk reduction.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Linux kernel versions across servers, endpoints, and container hosts.
- Confirm whether your distribution has backported the stable kernel fix.
- Compare installed kernel packages against vendor security advisories for CVE-2022-49921.
- Verify patched systems are booted into the updated kernel, not only installed.
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-416: 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-2022-49921 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/795afe0b9bb6c915f0299a8e309936519be01619CVE reference, Linux
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/a238cdcf2bdc72207c74375fc8be13ee549ca9dbCVE reference, Linux
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e877f8fa49fbccc63cb2df2e9179bddc695b825aCVE reference, Linux
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/52e0429471976785c155bfbf51d80990c6cd46e2CVE reference, Linux
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/5960b9081baca85cc7dcb14aec1de85999ea9d36CVE reference, Linux
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/fc4b50adb400ee5ec527a04073174e8e73a139faCVE reference, Linux
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/170e5317042c302777ed6d59fdb84af9b0219d4eCVE reference, Linux
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/8bdc2acd420c6f3dd1f1c78750ec989f02a1e2b9CVE 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.
Use After Free
Use After Free represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.