CVE-2022-29901Public exploit

Kernel memory disclosure via return-stack-buffer underflow

Published Jul 12, 2022 · Updated Aug 3, 2024

Information disclosure in Intel microprocessor generations 6 through 8 allows local users to read kernel data through speculative execution. When the return stack buffer underflows, affected processors use alternate branch predictors for kernel RET instructions, allowing user-mode code to select a transient target despite retpoline. Unprivileged local access, a susceptible microarchitecture, and suitable disclosure gadgets are required; the demonstrated Linux attack extracts kernel memory.

CVSS severity6.5
Medium
EPSS probability4.83%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Information disclosure in Intel microprocessor generations 6 through 8 allows local users to read kernel data through speculative execution. When the return stack buffer underflows, affected processors use alternate branch predictors for kernel RET instructions, allowing user-mode code to select a transient target despite retpoline. Unprivileged local access, a susceptible microarchitecture, and suitable disclosure gadgets are required; the demonstrated Linux attack extracts kernel memory.

The record

CVE
CVE-2022-29901
Published
Jul 12, 2022
Updated
Aug 3, 2024
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-200, CWE-668, T1003.008
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jul 12, 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?

Affected buildAffected product and version details are unavailable.

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

6.5NIST National Vulnerability DatabaseCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:N/A:N
4.7Intel CorporationCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
1.9NIST National Vulnerability DatabaseAV:L/AC:M/Au:N/C:P/I:N/A:N

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.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

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 exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-200Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor
CWE-668Exposure of Resource to Wrong Sphere
T1003.008OS Credential Dumping: /etc/passwd and /etc/shadow

Public exploit references

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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