CVE-2022-4696

Local code execution via splice reference undercount

Published Jan 11, 2023 · Updated Aug 3, 2024

Use-after-free in Linux Kernel 5.7-rc1 through 5.10.159 allows local users to execute arbitrary code or crash the system via io_uring. The IORING_OP_SPLICE preparation path omits IO_WQ_WORK_FILES, so a splice involving a file that calls get_uts() uses current->nsproxy without first increasing its reference count and later decrements it into a dangling lifetime. Low-privileged local access is required, and successful exploitation permits kernel-context code execution or a system crash.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.43%
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 Linux Kernel 5.7-rc1 through 5.10.159 allows local users to execute arbitrary code or crash the system via io_uring. The IORING_OP_SPLICE preparation path omits IO_WQ_WORK_FILES, so a splice involving a file that calls get_uts() uses current->nsproxy without first increasing its reference count and later decrements it into a dangling lifetime. Low-privileged local access is required, and successful exploitation permits kernel-context code execution or a system crash.

The record

CVE
CVE-2022-4696
Published
Jan 11, 2023
Updated
Aug 3, 2024
Vendor
The Linux Kernel Organization
Product
Linux Kernel
Classifications
CWE-763, CWE-416, CAPEC-251, T1068
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jan 11, 2023CVE 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=5.7-rc1 <=5.10.159

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

The Linux Kernel Organization · Linux Kernelversion=5.7-rc1 <=5.10.159

Published CVSS scores

7.8NVDCVSS: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.

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 exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-763Release of Invalid Pointer or Reference
CWE-416Use After Free
CAPEC-251Local Code Inclusion
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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