CVE-2022-4283

Code execution via XkbCopyNames dangling pointer

Published Dec 14, 2022 · Updated Apr 14, 2025

Use-after-free in X.Org Server 1.20.4 allows local users to execute code with elevated privileges through crafted XKB requests. XkbCopyNames leaves a dangling pointer after freeing a names object, and a later XkbGetKbdByName request accesses memory out of bounds. The consequence is root-context code execution when the X server runs privileged; SSH X forwarding can expose the same flaw remotely.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.96%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Use-after-free in X.Org Server 1.20.4 allows local users to execute code with elevated privileges through crafted XKB requests. XkbCopyNames leaves a dangling pointer after freeing a names object, and a later XkbGetKbdByName request accesses memory out of bounds. The consequence is root-context code execution when the X server runs privileged; SSH X forwarding can expose the same flaw remotely.

The record

CVE
CVE-2022-4283
Published
Dec 14, 2022
Updated
Apr 14, 2025
Vendor
X.Org
Product
X.Org Server
Classifications
CWE-416, T1068
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Dec 14, 2022CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Apr 14, 2025Record 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-1.20.4

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

X.Org · X.Org Serverversion=xorg-x11-server-1.20.4

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-416Use After Free
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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