CVE-2022-1678Network attack vector

Remote memory leak via TCP pacing reference

Published May 25, 2022 · Updated Aug 3, 2024

Improper reference-count update in Linux Kernel 4.18 through 4.19 allows remote attackers to cause memory and network-namespace leaks via TCP pacing. The tcp_internal_pacing function takes an extra socket reference when pacing timers are used on paths that do not transmit retransmissions, leaving references held after use. Remote attackers can trigger affected TCP traffic without authentication, potentially exhausting kernel memory or network namespaces and interrupting service; the issue is fixed in later kernel code.

CVSS severity7.5
High
EPSS probability2.94%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Improper reference-count update in Linux Kernel 4.18 through 4.19 allows remote attackers to cause memory and network-namespace leaks via TCP pacing. The tcp_internal_pacing function takes an extra socket reference when pacing timers are used on paths that do not transmit retransmissions, leaving references held after use. Remote attackers can trigger affected TCP traffic without authentication, potentially exhausting kernel memory or network namespaces and interrupting service; the issue is fixed in later kernel code.

The record

CVE
CVE-2022-1678
Published
May 25, 2022
Updated
Aug 3, 2024
Vendor
The Linux Kernel Organization
Product
Linux Kernel
Classifications
CWE-911, T1499.002
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. May 25, 2022CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 3, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=4.18 <unspecified
  2. Affected versionversion=unspecified <=4.19

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

The Linux Kernel Organization · Linux Kernelversion=4.18 <unspecified; version=unspecified <=4.19

Published CVSS scores

5.0NVDAV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:N/I:N/A:P
7.5NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
5.9OpenAnolisCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

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No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-911Improper Update of Reference Count
T1499.002Service Exhaustion

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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