CVE-2022-2320

Root code execution via pre-validation XKB state update

Published Sep 1, 2022 · Updated Aug 3, 2024

Out-of-bounds write in X.Org Server before 21.1.4 allows local users to execute code as root via a crafted XkbSetDeviceInfo request. The XKB handler calls the state-setting routine before its checker validates and byte-swaps request fields, so untrusted lengths drive device-state updates and out-of-bounds access. Exploitation requires X client access; a privileged server permits root escalation, while an authenticated SSH X-forwarding session exposes the flaw remotely.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.63%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Out-of-bounds write in X.Org Server before 21.1.4 allows local users to execute code as root via a crafted XkbSetDeviceInfo request. The XKB handler calls the state-setting routine before its checker validates and byte-swaps request fields, so untrusted lengths drive device-state updates and out-of-bounds access. Exploitation requires X client access; a privileged server permits root escalation, while an authenticated SSH X-forwarding session exposes the flaw remotely.

The record

CVE
CVE-2022-2320
Published
Sep 1, 2022
Updated
Aug 3, 2024
Vendor
X.Org
Product
X.Org Server
Classifications
CWE-787, T1068
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Sep 1, 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=xorg-x11-server 21.1

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

X.Org · X.Org Serverversion=xorg-x11-server 21.1

Published CVSS scores

7.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/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)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-787Out-of-bounds Write
T1068Exploitation for Privilege Escalation

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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