Linux · Kernel
CVE-2022-0185
Linux Kernel Heap-Based Buffer Overflow Vulnerability
What it is
A heap-based buffer overflow flaw was found in the way the legacy_parse_param function in the Filesystem Context functionality of the Linux kernel verified the supplied parameters length. An unprivileged (in case of unprivileged user namespaces enabled, otherwise needs namespaced CAP_SYS_ADMIN privilege) local user able to open a filesystem that does not support the Filesystem Context API (and thus fallbacks to legacy handling) could use this flaw to escalate their privileges on the system.
CISA: Linux kernel contains a heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability in the legacy_parse_param function in the Filesystem Context functionality. This allows an attacker to open a filesystem that does not support the Filesystem Context API and ultimately escalate privileges.
What to do
Apply updates per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if updates are unavailable.
Deadline for US federal agencies: September 11, 2024
- Added to the CISA list
- August 21, 2024
- Published
- February 11, 2022
- Severity
- High 8.4 CVSS 3.1
- Chance of attacks in the next 30 days (EPSS)
- 25% in the top 2.1% of all known vulnerabilities
- Weakness
- CWE-190
- More details
- NVD · CVE.org · CISA
All references (5)
- https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/?id=722d94847de2
- https://github.com/Crusaders-of-Rust/CVE-2022-0185
- https://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2022/01/18/7
- https://www.willsroot.io/2022/01/cve-2022-0185.html
- https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20220225-0003/
More exploited flaws from Linux
| Added | Vulnerability | Product | Severity | Attack chance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 18, 2026 | Improper Check for Unusual or Exceptional Conditions | Kernel | Critical 9.8 | 3.3% |
| Sep 18, 2026 | Race Condition | Kernel | High 7.8 | 1.6% |
| Sep 18, 2026 | Out-of-Bounds Write | Kernel | High 8.8 | 0.9% |
| Aug 27, 2026 | Unspecified | Kernel | High 7.8 | 0.7% |
| Aug 26, 2026 | Out-of-Bounds Write | Kernel | High 7.8 | 8.9% |
| Jun 2, 2026 | Improper Authentication | Kernel | High 7.8 | 5.5% |
| May 1, 2026 | Incorrect Resource Transfer Between Spheres | Kernel | High 7.8 | 98% |
| Jan 26, 2026 | Integer Overflow | Kernel | High 7.8 | 15% |
Sources: Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (CISA, public domain), CVE records (cve.org) and EPSS (FIRST). The chance of attacks is the EPSS estimate that someone will try to exploit the flaw in the next 30 days.