CVE-2022-2991

Kernel code execution via unchecked LightNVM length

Published Aug 25, 2022 · Updated Aug 3, 2024

Heap-based buffer overflow in Linux Kernel before 5.15-rc1 allows local users to execute arbitrary code in the kernel. The LightNVM subsystem copies user-supplied data into a fixed-length heap buffer without first validating that the supplied length fits. Exploitation requires high-privileged local code execution and an enabled CONFIG_NVM build; successful attacks can crash the system or run code in kernel context.

CVSS severity6.7
Medium
EPSS probability0.45%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Heap-based buffer overflow in Linux Kernel before 5.15-rc1 allows local users to execute arbitrary code in the kernel. The LightNVM subsystem copies user-supplied data into a fixed-length heap buffer without first validating that the supplied length fits. Exploitation requires high-privileged local code execution and an enabled CONFIG_NVM build; successful attacks can crash the system or run code in kernel context.

The record

CVE
CVE-2022-2991
Published
Aug 25, 2022
Updated
Aug 3, 2024
Vendor
The Linux Kernel Organization
Product
Linux Kernel
Classifications
T1068
Attack vector
local
Privileges
admin

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Aug 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=Fixed in kernel 5.15-rc1

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesadmin

What is affected?

The Linux Kernel Organization · Linux Kernelversion=Fixed in kernel 5.15-rc1

Published CVSS scores

6.7UbuntuCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/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
Privilegesadmin
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

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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