# CVE-2022-2602: Use after free in linux

> A use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's io_uring Unix SCM garbage collection allows local attackers to execute arbitrary code or escalate privileges.

- **Severity:** Medium 5.3 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Any signed-in user
- **Attackable:** Local or same network only
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 8 Jan 2024
- **Updated:** 14 Oct 2026
- **Also known as:** AZL-33262, DEBIAN-CVE-2022-2602, OESA-2022-2069, OESA-2022-2070, SUSE-SU-2023:0339-1, UBUNTU-CVE-2022-2602

## What is CVE-2022-2602?

CVE-2022-2602 is a medium-severity use after free vulnerability in Canonical Ubuntu Linux, published on 8 Jan 2024. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

io_uring UAF, Unix SCM garbage collection

Weakness: CWE-416 (Use After Free)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2022-2602?

It affects 2 products.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `kernel-livepatch-SLE15-SP3_Update_26` | SUSE:Linux Enterprise Live Patching 15 SP3 | All versions | 3-150300.2.1 |

Products: Canonical Ubuntu Linux, Linux kernel.

## How do I fix CVE-2022-2602?

Apply the vendor's patch.

## Is CVE-2022-2602 being exploited?

It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2022-2602 exists.

Public exploit code:

- https://github.com/kiks7/CVE-2022-2602-Kernel-Exploit (github_poc): https://github.com/kiks7/CVE-2022-2602-Kernel-Exploit
- CVE-2022-2602 (github_poc): https://github.com/LukeGix/CVE-2022-2602
- https://github.com/th3-5had0w/CVE-2022-2602-Study (github_poc): https://github.com/th3-5had0w/CVE-2022-2602-Study

## Other vulnerabilities in Canonical Ubuntu Linux

- [CVE-2020-11651](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-11651/): SaltStack Salt Authentication Bypass (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2020-7247](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-7247/): OpenSMTPD Remote Code Execution (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2019-16928](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-16928/): Exim Out-of-bounds Write (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2018-6789](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2018-6789/): Exim Buffer Overflow (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2015-2590](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2015-2590/): Oracle Java SE and Java SE Embedded Remote Code Execution (critical 9.8, exploited in the wild)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2022-2602 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2022-2602 is a medium-severity use after free vulnerability in Canonical Ubuntu Linux, published on 8 Jan 2024. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2022-2602 exists.

Affected product: Canonical Ubuntu Linux. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2022-2602/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2022-2602/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2022-2602
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-2602
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2022-2602

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2022-2602/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.