Local privilege escalation via unchecked release_agent
Published Mar 3, 2022 · Updated Jun 3, 2026
Privilege escalation in Linux Kernel 5.17 rc3 allows local users to gain administrative privileges via cgroups v1 release_agent. The cgroup_release_agent_write function permits setting release_agent without requiring CAP_SYS_ADMIN in the initial user namespace, allowing a configured cgroup notification to invoke attacker-controlled code outside the intended namespace. Exploitation requires local access and cgroups v1 conditions; successful abuse can cross namespace isolation and obtain administrative privileges.
Summary
What happened
Privilege escalation in Linux Kernel 5.17 rc3 allows local users to gain administrative privileges via cgroups v1 release_agent. The cgroup_release_agent_write function permits setting release_agent without requiring CAP_SYS_ADMIN in the initial user namespace, allowing a configured cgroup notification to invoke attacker-controlled code outside the intended namespace. Exploitation requires local access and cgroups v1 conditions; successful abuse can cross namespace isolation and obtain administrative privileges.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2022-0492
- Published
- Mar 3, 2022
- Updated
- Jun 3, 2026
- Vendor
- The Linux Kernel Organization
- Product
- Linux Kernel
- Classifications
- T1068
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- authenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Mar 3, 2022CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Jun 3, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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Is a vulnerable build present?
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- Affected versionversion=kernel 5.17 rc3
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
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Attacks
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Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
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Technologies
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Your stack
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