CVE-2022-50488
Description
A flaw was found in the Linux kernel's Budget Fair Queueing (BFQ) I/O scheduler. When processes performing input/output operations are moved between control groups (cgroups), the scheduler fails to properly clear queue associations, leading to a use-after-free condition where already released memory is accessed. A local attacker could exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code or cause a Denial of Service (DoS) through a system crash.
Statement
On Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9, regular (non-root) users cannot exploit this vulnerability. This is due to the following:
- By default, SELinux actively enforces policies in targeted mode, meaning that even if base permissions allow cgroup manipulation, unprivileged cgroup manipulation will be prevented.
- By default, systemd does not delegate cgroup control to user processes, meaning that user sessions and services cannot create or manage their own cgroup hierarchies.
Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) Score Details
Info alert:Important note
CVSS scores for open source components depend on vendor-specific factors (e.g. version or build chain). Therefore, Red Hat's score and impact rating can be different from NVD and other vendors. Red Hat remains the authoritative CVE Naming Authority (CNA) source for its products and services (see Red Hat classifications).
CVSS v3 Score Breakdown
| Red Hat | NVD | cve.org | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Score | 6 | 7.8 | 7.8 |
| Attack Vector | Local | Local | Local |
| Attack Complexity | High | Low | Low |
| Privileges Required | High | Low | Low |
| User Interaction | None | None | None |
| Scope | Unchanged | Unchanged | Unchanged |
| Confidentiality | Low | High | High |
| Integrity Impact | High | High | High |
| Availability Impact | High | High | High |
Vector
Red Hat: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:H/A:H
NVD: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
cve.org: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Understanding the Weakness (CWE)
Confidentiality
Technical Impact: Read Application Data; Read Memory
If the released resource is subsequently reused or reallocated, then a read operation on the original resource might access sensitive data that is associated with a different user or entity.
Availability
Technical Impact: Unexpected State; DoS: Crash, Exit, or Restart
When the resource is released, the software might modify some of its structure, or close associated channels (such as a file descriptor). When the software later accesses the resource as if it is valid, the resource might not be in an expected state, leading to resultant errors that may lead to a crash.
Integrity,Confidentiality,Availability
Technical Impact: Execute Unauthorized Code or Commands; Modify Application Data; Modify Memory
When the resource is released, the software might modify some of its structure. This might affect logic in the sections of code that still assume the resource is active. If the released resource is related to memory and is used in a function call, or points to unexpected data in a write operation, then code execution may be possible upon subsequent accesses.
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