CVE-2022-49961

Kernel memory access via imprecise eBPF state pruning

Published Jun 18, 2025 · Updated Jun 1, 2026

Out-of-bounds access in the Linux eBPF verifier allows local users with CAP_BPF to access kernel memory through a crafted program. The verifier's states_equal pruning treats imprecise scalar arguments as equivalent even when bpf_ringbuf_reserve derives R0's memory size from them. Only users with CAP_BPF and explicit precision tracking can reach the flaw; an accepted program can access beyond the reserved buffer.

CVSS severity7.1
High
EPSS probability0.25%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Out-of-bounds access in the Linux eBPF verifier allows local users with CAP_BPF to access kernel memory through a crafted program. The verifier's states_equal pruning treats imprecise scalar arguments as equivalent even when bpf_ringbuf_reserve derives R0's memory size from them. Only users with CAP_BPF and explicit precision tracking can reach the flaw; an accepted program can access beyond the reserved buffer.

The record

CVE
CVE-2022-49961
Published
Jun 18, 2025
Updated
Jun 1, 2026
Vendor
The Linux Kernel Organization
Product
Linux
Classifications
CWE-125
Attack vector
local
Privileges
admin

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jun 18, 2025CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Jun 1, 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=457f44363a8894135c85b7a9afd2bd8196db24ab <2459615a8d7f44ac81f0965bc094e55ccb254717
  2. Affected versionversion=457f44363a8894135c85b7a9afd2bd8196db24ab <2fc31465c5373b5ca4edf2e5238558cb62902311
  3. Affected versionversion=457f44363a8894135c85b7a9afd2bd8196db24ab <987b4c465ba28c662ca857be6c20fd2d96bc55f0
  4. Affected versionversion=5.8

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesadmin

What is affected?

The Linux Kernel Organization · Linuxversion=457f44363a8894135c85b7a9afd2bd8196db24ab <2459615a8d7f44ac81f0965bc094e55ccb254717; version=457f44363a8894135c85b7a9afd2bd8196db24ab <2fc31465c5373b5ca4edf2e5238558cb62902311; version=457f44363a8894135c85b7a9afd2bd8196db24ab <987b4c465ba28c662ca857be6c20fd2d96bc55f0; version=5.8

Published CVSS scores

7.1UbuntuCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/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

CWE-125Out-of-bounds Read

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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