CVE-2021-22600 Linux Kernel: privilege escalation
In plain words: Something running with limited rights can promote itself to full control. Turns a small foothold (like a malicious app) into administrator or system-level access.
Confirmed exploited by CISA on · US federal patch deadline May 2, 2022
What to do
- Install Linux's security update for Kernel. If no update exists, follow the vendor's workaround or stop using the product until one ships.
- Turn on automatic updates for the operating system and for Office, PDF and archive apps.
- Be careful with unexpected attachments — documents, .zip/.rar files and shortcuts are common bait.
- Use a normal (non-admin) account day to day and keep built-in protection like Microsoft Defender on.
Who is affected
Could reach you. This one is aimed at devices or apps of the kind people own.
What's at risk: Your files, saved passwords and accounts. Many of these let a program that is already running gain full administrator control.
The details
- Official name
- Linux Kernel Privilege Escalation Vulnerability
- Product
- Linux Kernel
- CISA description
- Linux Kernel contains a flaw in the packet socket (AF_PACKET) implementation which could lead to incorrectly freeing memory. A local user could exploit this for denial-of-service (DoS) or possibly for privilege escalation.
- Type of flaw
- Privilege escalation (CWE-415)
- Confirmed exploited
- Apr 11, 2022
- US federal patch deadline
- May 2, 2022
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Answering about CVE-2021-22600 ·
Questions about CVE-2021-22600
Is CVE-2021-22600 being exploited?
Yes. CISA added CVE-2021-22600 to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on Apr 11, 2022, which means there is reliable evidence of real-world attacks.
How do I fix CVE-2021-22600?
Install Linux's security update for Kernel. If no update exists, follow the vendor's workaround or stop using the product until one ships. Turn on automatic updates for the operating system and for Office, PDF and archive apps.
Am I affected by CVE-2021-22600?
Only if you use Linux Kernel. This one is aimed at devices or apps of the kind people own.