CVE-2022-50259

Kernel compromise via reference-free SOCKMAP teardown

Published Sep 15, 2025 · Updated Sep 15, 2025

A use-after-free in Linux kernel SOCKMAP teardown allows local users with CAP_NET_ADMIN to compromise the kernel through a race. sock_map_free() calls release_sock() without holding a socket reference while attacker-controlled map and socket closures can drop the last reference. Successful reuse of the freed struct sock can disclose kernel memory, overwrite kernel data, hijack control flow, or crash the host.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.12%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

A use-after-free in Linux kernel SOCKMAP teardown allows local users with CAP_NET_ADMIN to compromise the kernel through a race. sock_map_free() calls release_sock() without holding a socket reference while attacker-controlled map and socket closures can drop the last reference. Successful reuse of the freed struct sock can disclose kernel memory, overwrite kernel data, hijack control flow, or crash the host.

The record

CVE
CVE-2022-50259
Published
Sep 15, 2025
Updated
Sep 15, 2025
Vendor
The Linux Kernel Organization
Product
Linux
Classifications
T1068
Attack vector
local
Privileges
Unavailable

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Sep 15, 2025CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Sep 15, 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=20ae0cb8983b05136d5293c47fadc99a8ca8ca2d <4cabc3af4a6f36c222fecb15858c1060e59218e7
  2. Affected versionversion=5.5
  3. Affected versionversion=7e81a35302066c5a00b4c72d83e3ea4cad6eeb5b <0a182f8d607464911756b4dbef5d6cad8de22469
  4. Affected versionversion=7e81a35302066c5a00b4c72d83e3ea4cad6eeb5b <5c3568166129bc73fd6b37748d2d8f95cd8f22f3
  5. Affected versionversion=7e81a35302066c5a00b4c72d83e3ea4cad6eeb5b <a443c55d96dede82a724df6e70a318ad15c199e1
  6. Affected versionversion=7e81a35302066c5a00b4c72d83e3ea4cad6eeb5b <be719496ae6a7fc325e9e5056a52f63ebc84cc0c
  7. Affected versionversion=7e81a35302066c5a00b4c72d83e3ea4cad6eeb5b <e8b2b392a646bf5cb9413c1cc7a39d99c1b65a62

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesUnavailable in this record.

What is affected?

The Linux Kernel Organization · Linuxversion=20ae0cb8983b05136d5293c47fadc99a8ca8ca2d <4cabc3af4a6f36c222fecb15858c1060e59218e7; version=5.5; version=7e81a35302066c5a00b4c72d83e3ea4cad6eeb5b <0a182f8d607464911756b4dbef5d6cad8de22469; version=7e81a35302066c5a00b4c72d83e3ea4cad6eeb5b <5c3568166129bc73fd6b37748d2d8f95cd8f22f3; version=7e81a35302066c5a00b4c72d83e3ea4cad6eeb5b <a443c55d96dede82a724df6e70a318ad15c199e1; version=7e81a35302066c5a00b4c72d83e3ea4cad6eeb5b <be719496ae6a7fc325e9e5056a52f63ebc84cc0c; version=7e81a35302066c5a00b4c72d83e3ea4cad6eeb5b <e8b2b392a646bf5cb9413c1cc7a39d99c1b65a62

Published CVSS scores

7.8LinuxCVSS: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
PrivilegesUnavailable
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

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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