CVE-2022-49998: rxrpc: Fix locking in rxrpc's sendmsg
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
rxrpc: Fix locking in rxrpc's sendmsg
Fix three bugs in the rxrpc's sendmsg implementation:
(1) rxrpc_new_client_call() should release the socket lock when returning
an error from rxrpc_get_call_slot().
(2) rxrpc_wait_for_tx_window_intr() will return without the call mutex
held in the event that we're interrupted by a signal whilst waiting
for tx space on the socket or relocking the call mutex afterwards.
Fix this by: (a) moving the unlock/lock of the call mutex up to
rxrpc_send_data() such that the lock is not held around all of
rxrpc_wait_for_tx_window*() and (b) indicating to higher callers
whether we're return with the lock dropped. Note that this means
recvmsg() will not block on this call whilst we're waiting.
(3) After dropping and regaining the call mutex, rxrpc_send_data() needs
to go and recheck the state of the tx_pending buffer and the
tx_total_len check in case we raced with another sendmsg() on the same
call.
Thinking on this some more, it might make sense to have different locks for
sendmsg() and recvmsg(). There's probably no need to make recvmsg() wait
for sendmsg(). It does mean that recvmsg() can return MSG_EOR indicating
that a call is dead before a sendmsg() to that call returns - but that can
currently happen anyway.
Without fix (2), something like the following can be induced:
WARNING: bad unlock balance detected!
5.16.0-rc6-syzkaller #0 Not tainted
-------------------------------------
syz-executor011/3597 is trying to release lock (&call->user_mutex) at:
[<ffffffff885163a3>] rxrpc_do_sendmsg+0xc13/0x1350 net/rxrpc/sendmsg.c:748
but there are no more locks to release!
other info that might help us debug this:
no locks held by syz-executor011/3597.
...
Call Trace:
<TASK>
__dump_stack lib/dump_stack.c:88 [inline]
dump_stack_lvl+0xcd/0x134 lib/dump_stack.c:106
print_unlock_imbalance_bug include/trace/events/lock.h:58 [inline]
__lock_release kernel/locking/lockdep.c:5306 [inline]
lock_release.cold+0x49/0x4e kernel/locking/lockdep.c:5657
__mutex_unlock_slowpath+0x99/0x5e0 kernel/locking/mutex.c:900
rxrpc_do_sendmsg+0xc13/0x1350 net/rxrpc/sendmsg.c:748
rxrpc_sendmsg+0x420/0x630 net/rxrpc/af_rxrpc.c:561
sock_sendmsg_nosec net/socket.c:704 [inline]
sock_sendmsg+0xcf/0x120 net/socket.c:724
____sys_sendmsg+0x6e8/0x810 net/socket.c:2409
___sys_sendmsg+0xf3/0x170 net/socket.c:2463
__sys_sendmsg+0xe5/0x1b0 net/socket.c:2492
do_syscall_x64 arch/x86/entry/common.c:50 [inline]
do_syscall_64+0x35/0xb0 arch/x86/entry/common.c:80
entry_SYSCALL_64_after_hwframe+0x44/0xae
[Thanks to Hawkins Jiawei and Khalid Masum for their attempts to fix this]
Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2022-49998 is a Linux kernel bug in rxrpc message sending. The public record describes incorrect locking that can trigger kernel lock warnings and race-prone behavior. The business risk is unclear because no CVSS score, impact rating, or active exploitation evidence is provided.
Executive priority
Handle through normal kernel patch management unless rxrpc is known to be used in sensitive environments. Escalate priority for internet-facing or multi-tenant Linux systems only if vendor guidance adds stronger impact or exploitability evidence.
Technical view
The flaw is in rxrpc sendmsg locking. The fix releases the socket lock on one error path, avoids returning without the call mutex held after interrupted waits, and rechecks transmit state after dropping and regaining the mutex. The supplied trace shows a bad unlock balance in rxrpc_do_sendmsg.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely on Linux systems running affected kernel builds where rxrpc functionality is present and reachable by local workloads. The source bundle lists Linux kernel version ranges and stable commits, but does not identify distributions, configurations, or remote exposure conditions.
Exploitation context
CISA KEV status is false in the bundle. The record describes a syzkaller-induced kernel warning, not confirmed real-world exploitation. No public source here proves weaponized exploitation, privilege escalation, remote attack, or reliable denial of service.
Researcher notes
Evidence supports a kernel concurrency and lock-state bug in net/rxrpc/sendmsg.c. The public bundle lacks CVSS, CWE, attacker prerequisites, exploitability analysis, and distribution-specific fixed versions. Treat impact assessment as incomplete until vendor advisories add detail.
Mitigation direction
Apply Linux vendor kernel updates that include the referenced stable fixes.
Check distribution advisories for package-specific affected and fixed versions.
Prioritize kernels using rxrpc functionality or custom kernel builds.
Follow vendor guidance if rxrpc is unnecessary and can be disabled safely.
Validation and detection
Inventory Linux kernel versions across servers and appliances.
Check whether deployed kernels include the referenced stable commits.
Identify systems where rxrpc functionality is enabled or used.
Review vendor advisories for fixed package versions and reboot requirements.
Confirm updated systems boot into the patched kernel.
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
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The CVE record was published.
Jun 18, 2025, 11:00 UTC (UTC+00:00)
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