Kernel resource exhaustion via leaked key references
Published Jul 16, 2024 · Updated May 11, 2026
A reference leak in Linux 5.13 through 5.15.23 and 5.16 through 5.16.9 allows local users to interrupt service via IMA signature verification. In asymmetric_verify(), an unrecognized public-key algorithm returns ENOPKG after request_asymmetric_key() acquires a key reference but before key_put() releases it. Access requires a local low-privilege account, and repeated attempts can consume kernel resources until service is interrupted without data disclosure or modification.
Summary
What happened
A reference leak in Linux 5.13 through 5.15.23 and 5.16 through 5.16.9 allows local users to interrupt service via IMA signature verification. In asymmetric_verify(), an unrecognized public-key algorithm returns ENOPKG after request_asymmetric_key() acquires a key reference but before key_put() releases it. Access requires a local low-privilege account, and repeated attempts can consume kernel resources until service is interrupted without data disclosure or modification.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2022-48831
- Published
- Jul 16, 2024
- Updated
- May 11, 2026
- Vendor
- The Linux Kernel Organization
- Product
- Linux
- Classifications
- T1499.004
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- authenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Jul 16, 2024CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- May 11, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
Compare your product and version with the public record. A matching version still requires validation against your environment.
Is a vulnerable build present?
Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.
- Affected versionversion=5.13
- Affected versionversion=947d70597236dd5ae65c1f68c8eabfb962ee5a6b <0838d6d68182f0b28a5434bc6d50727c4757e35b
- Affected versionversion=947d70597236dd5ae65c1f68c8eabfb962ee5a6b <89f586d3398f4cc0432ed870949dffb702940754
- Affected versionversion=947d70597236dd5ae65c1f68c8eabfb962ee5a6b <926fd9f23b27ca6587492c3f58f4c7f4cd01dad5
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
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.
Weakness, pattern, technique
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
See the directory against your own environment.
Your stack
Check the software in your environment
Book a demo to see how Hinoki identifies affected software and validates exploitability in your environment.
Book a demo