CVE-2022-49939: binder: fix UAF of ref->proc caused by race condition
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
binder: fix UAF of ref->proc caused by race condition
A transaction of type BINDER_TYPE_WEAK_HANDLE can fail to increment the
reference for a node. In this case, the target proc normally releases
the failed reference upon close as expected. However, if the target is
dying in parallel the call will race with binder_deferred_release(), so
the target could have released all of its references by now leaving the
cleanup of the new failed reference unhandled.
The transaction then ends and the target proc gets released making the
ref->proc now a dangling pointer. Later on, ref->node is closed and we
attempt to take spin_lock(&ref->proc->inner_lock), which leads to the
use-after-free bug reported below. Let's fix this by cleaning up the
failed reference on the spot instead of relying on the target to do so.
==================================================================
BUG: KASAN: use-after-free in _raw_spin_lock+0xa8/0x150
Write of size 4 at addr ffff5ca207094238 by task kworker/1:0/590
CPU: 1 PID: 590 Comm: kworker/1:0 Not tainted 5.19.0-rc8 #10
Hardware name: linux,dummy-virt (DT)
Workqueue: events binder_deferred_func
Call trace:
dump_backtrace.part.0+0x1d0/0x1e0
show_stack+0x18/0x70
dump_stack_lvl+0x68/0x84
print_report+0x2e4/0x61c
kasan_report+0xa4/0x110
kasan_check_range+0xfc/0x1a4
__kasan_check_write+0x3c/0x50
_raw_spin_lock+0xa8/0x150
binder_deferred_func+0x5e0/0x9b0
process_one_work+0x38c/0x5f0
worker_thread+0x9c/0x694
kthread+0x188/0x190
ret_from_fork+0x10/0x20
Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2022-49939 is a Linux kernel Binder bug where a race condition can leave a pointer to freed process memory. The public record shows a kernel use-after-free crash path, but does not provide CVSS, confirmed exploitation, or business-impact detail.
Executive priority
Treat this as a kernel maintenance priority, not an emergency based on current evidence. Patch through normal expedited OS update processes, with higher priority for platforms that rely on Binder or expose untrusted local workloads.
Technical view
A failed BINDER_TYPE_WEAK_HANDLE transaction can race with binder_deferred_release(). The target process may release references before cleanup, leaving ref->proc dangling. Later Binder cleanup attempts to lock ref->proc->inner_lock, triggering a KASAN-reported use-after-free in binder_deferred_func.
Likely exposure
Exposure appears limited to Linux systems running affected kernel versions with Binder functionality present and reachable. The record lists Linux kernel versions including 4.14, 4.19.258, 5.4.213, 5.10.142, 5.15.66, 5.19.8, and 6.0, but version-range detail is incomplete in the prompt bundle.
Exploitation context
The supplied sources do not show active exploitation, public exploit code, or inclusion in CISA KEV. The evidence demonstrates a race-triggered kernel use-after-free observed by KASAN, but does not establish practical exploitability or attacker prerequisites.
Researcher notes
The key uncertainty is impact. The source describes a real kernel UAF race and stable fixes, but omits CVSS, CWE, attacker privileges, attack vector, and exploit status. Avoid assuming privilege escalation without additional vendor or kernel analysis.
Mitigation direction
Apply vendor kernel updates that include the referenced Binder fix commits.
Prioritize systems where Binder is enabled or part of supported workloads.
Check Linux distribution advisories for exact fixed package versions.
Follow vendor guidance if backported fixes use different version numbers.
Monitor kernel logs for Binder-related crashes until patched.
Validation and detection
Inventory running kernel versions across Linux assets.
Confirm whether Binder modules or BinderFS are enabled on affected systems.
Map kernels against distribution advisories and referenced stable commits.
Verify patched systems include the Binder failed-reference cleanup fix.
Review crash telemetry for binder_deferred_func use-after-free signatures.
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-2022-49939 mapping review
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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.
0CVSS vectors
3Timeline events
0ADP providers
8Source links
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.
Jun 18, 2025, 10:54 UTC (UTC+00:00)
CVE updatedCVE Program
The CVE record metadata indicates this as the latest update time.