# CVE-2022-3606: Linux Kernel BPF libbpf.c find_prog_by_sec_insn null pointer dereference

> A null pointer dereference in the Linux Kernel BPF library allows attackers to cause a denial of service.

- **Severity:** Low 3.5 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L`)
- **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:** 19 Oct 2022
- **Updated:** 14 Oct 2026
- **Also known as:** AZL-27429, DEBIAN-CVE-2022-3606, GHSA-4rj6-gcf8-wchc, UBUNTU-CVE-2022-3606

## What is CVE-2022-3606?

CVE-2022-3606 is a low-severity vulnerability in Linux kernel, published on 19 Oct 2022. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel. It has been classified as problematic. This affects the function find_prog_by_sec_insn of the file tools/lib/bpf/libbpf.c of the component BPF. The manipulation leads to null pointer dereference. It is recommended to apply a patch to fix this issue. The identifier VDB-211749 was assigned to this vulnerability.

Weakness: CWE-404 (Improper Resource Shutdown or Release)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2022-3606?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Linux kernel.

## How do I fix CVE-2022-3606?

Apply the vendor's patch.

## Is CVE-2022-3606 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2022-3606 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in Linux kernel

- [CVE-2026-53266](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-53266/): Linux Kernel Out-of-Bounds Write (high 8.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2013-6282](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2013-6282/): Linux Kernel Improper Input Validation (high 8.8, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2022-0185](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2022-0185/): Linux Kernel Heap-Based Buffer Overflow (high 8.4, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2013-2094](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2013-2094/): Linux Kernel Privilege Escalation (high 8.4, exploited in the wild)
- [CVE-2026-53362](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-53362/): Linux Kernel Unspecified (high 7.8, exploited in the wild)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2022-3606 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2022-3606 is a low-severity vulnerability in Linux kernel, published on 19 Oct 2022. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2022-3606 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected product: Linux kernel. 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-2022-3606/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2022-3606/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2022-3606
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-3606
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2022-3606

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2022-3606/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.