CVE-2022-49236

Use-after-free via BPF module-loading race

Published Feb 26, 2025 · Updated May 11, 2026

Use-after-free in Linux kernel 5.12 through 5.17.1 allows local users to access a freed module object via a BPF/module-loading race. The verifier can acquire a module reference through btf_try_get_module while its initcall is still running, after BTF is published to userspace. If module initialization then fails, load_module frees the module, and closing the accepted BPF program descriptor calls module_put on the freed object.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.27%
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 5.12 through 5.17.1 allows local users to access a freed module object via a BPF/module-loading race. The verifier can acquire a module reference through btf_try_get_module while its initcall is still running, after BTF is published to userspace. If module initialization then fails, load_module frees the module, and closing the accepted BPF program descriptor calls module_put on the freed object.

The record

CVE
CVE-2022-49236
Published
Feb 26, 2025
Updated
May 11, 2026
Vendor
The Linux Kernel Organization
Product
Linux
Classifications
CWE-416
Attack vector
local
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Feb 26, 2025CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. May 11, 2026Record 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=5.12
  2. Affected versionversion=541c3bad8dc51b253ba8686d0cd7628e6b9b5f4c <0481baa2318cb1ab13277715da6cdbb657807b3f
  3. Affected versionversion=541c3bad8dc51b253ba8686d0cd7628e6b9b5f4c <18688de203b47e5d8d9d0953385bf30b5949324f
  4. Affected versionversion=541c3bad8dc51b253ba8686d0cd7628e6b9b5f4c <51b82141fffa454abf937a8ff0b8af89e4fd0c8f
  5. Affected versionversion=541c3bad8dc51b253ba8686d0cd7628e6b9b5f4c <d7fccf264b1a785525b366a5b7f8113c756187ad

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

The Linux Kernel Organization · Linuxversion=5.12; version=541c3bad8dc51b253ba8686d0cd7628e6b9b5f4c <0481baa2318cb1ab13277715da6cdbb657807b3f; version=541c3bad8dc51b253ba8686d0cd7628e6b9b5f4c <18688de203b47e5d8d9d0953385bf30b5949324f; version=541c3bad8dc51b253ba8686d0cd7628e6b9b5f4c <51b82141fffa454abf937a8ff0b8af89e4fd0c8f; version=541c3bad8dc51b253ba8686d0cd7628e6b9b5f4c <d7fccf264b1a785525b366a5b7f8113c756187ad

Published CVSS scores

7.8CISA-ADPCVSS: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 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 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

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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