CVE-2022-49343 ext4: avoid cycles in directory h-tree
A maliciously corrupted filesystem can cause memory corruption in the Linux kernel ext4 driver, potentially leading to code execution or denial of service.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Not needed
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- A user has to click or open something
- Fix
- Available
What is CVE-2022-49343?
CVE-2022-49343 is a high-severity memory corruption vulnerability in Linux kernel, published on 26 Feb 2025. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Official description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
ext4: avoid cycles in directory h-tree
A maliciously corrupted filesystem can contain cycles in the h-tree stored inside a directory. That can easily lead to the kernel corrupting tree nodes that were already verified under its hands while doing a node split and consequently accessing unallocated memory. Fix the problem by verifying traversed block numbers are unique.
Which versions are affected by CVE-2022-49343?
It affects 1 product.
Products include Linux kernel.
How do I fix CVE-2022-49343?
Apply the vendor's patch.
Upgrade to the fixed version. Memory-safe languages, compiler hardening and fuzzing prevent most new cases. More about Memory corruption.
Is CVE-2022-49343 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2022-49343 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Other vulnerabilities in Linux kernel
Sources
Also known as DEBIAN-CVE-2022-49343, GHSA-38cq-484h-wcm5, UBUNTU-CVE-2022-49343.