Memory Leak Vulnerability in Linux Kernel - CVE-2022-49801
Summary
CVE-2022-49801: In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: tracing: Fix memory leak in tracing_read_pipe() kmemleak reports this issue: unreferenced object 0xffff888105a18900 (size 128): comm "test_progs", pid 1... Affects linux versions 5.10.103-1 – 6.9.9-1. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
Check if this vulnerability affects your application
Upload a manifest or SBOM and we'll show whether you're affected, plus every other risky package in the same scan.
No signup required · Results in about 60 seconds
Background
The Linux kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, responsible for managing hardware resources and providing essential services to applications. It is widely used in various environments, from servers to embedded systems. This vulnerability, identified as CVE-2022-49801, pertains to a memory leak in the tracing subsystem, which can lead to increased memory consumption and potential system instability.
Vulnerability Detail
CVE-2022-49801 is a memory leak vulnerability found in the tracing_read_pipe() function of the Linux kernel. The issue arises when memory allocated for formatting trace output is not properly freed after use. This can lead to unreferenced memory objects accumulating over time, causing the system to exhaust available memory resources. The vulnerability was reported by kmemleak, which detected unreferenced objects in memory. If left unaddressed, this could result in degraded system performance or crashes due to memory exhaustion.
How To Fix
No fixed version is published for this vulnerability.
Tip — Not sure whether your app is affected? Vulert can check the versions your app actually runs. Scan free →
Workaround
Currently, there are no specific workarounds mentioned for this vulnerability. The best course of action is to apply the patch as soon as it becomes available.
Conclusion
CVE-2022-49801 is a critical memory leak vulnerability in the Linux kernel that can lead to severe memory management issues. Users are advised to update their systems to the latest patched version to ensure stability and security. Monitoring tools like Vulert can assist in identifying vulnerabilities in your applications.
See every vulnerability recorded for linux →
FAQ
CVE-2022-49801 is a memory leak vulnerability in the Linux kernel's tracing subsystem that can lead to increased memory usage and potential system instability.
If exploited, this vulnerability can cause your system to run out of memory, leading to performance degradation or crashes.
Yes, a patch is available in the form of an updated Linux kernel package. Users should update to version 6.0.10-1 or later.
You can use tools like Vulert, which monitors open-source vulnerabilities in your software by analyzing the manifest file. Visit Vulert Scanner to check your application without needing to sign up.
While there are no specific workarounds, it is crucial to monitor your system's memory usage and plan for an update as soon as possible to mitigate risks.
Related vulnerabilities
Recent vulnerabilities recorded for linux.