CVE-2022-0995: Linux Kernel Out-of-Bounds Write Vulnerability

Should you act?

Exploited: patch now if you run it

CISA has confirmed exploitation in the wild. This signal is computed from CISA KEV, EPSS and CVSS data; it is not an editorial verdict.

• Yes, if you run Linux Kernel. CISA added this CVE to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2026-08-26, which means there is reliable evidence of exploitation in the wild. US federal agencies must remediate by 2026-08-29; treat that as the outer limit, not the target.
• EPSS 8.9%, percentile 95: FIRST’s model estimates a 8.9% chance of exploitation activity in the next 30 days, higher than 95% of all scored CVEs (very high). EPSS is a probability, not a verdict.
• Needs local access needed. Lower urgency for most teams unless an attacker could already run code on the machine.
• Editorial verdict: Patch this week. Linux Kernel: Five Exploited Root Bugs Added to CISA KEV — Five local root bugs, all with fixes and most with public exploits, are now confirmed exploited; get every Linux host onto a current kernel and reboot this week, container hosts, CI runners and shared servers first.

What it is

An out-of-bounds (OOB) memory write flaw was found in the Linux kernel’s watchqueue event notification subsystem. This flaw can overwrite parts of the kernel state, potentially allowing a local user to gain privileged access or cause a denial of service on the system.

CISA’s summary

Linux Kernel contains an out-of-bounds memory write vulnerability which could allow a local user to gain privileged access or cause a denial of service on the system.

Weakness type: CWE-787.

Product: Linux Kernel · Assigned by: redhat · Published: 2022-03-25

Affected and fixed versions

Severity scores

• Attack vector: local access needed
• Attack complexity: low
• Privileges required: low (any account)
• User interaction: none
• Scope: unchanged

CVSS measures how bad a flaw is if exploited, not how likely exploitation is. Read it next to the exploitation data below.

Exploitation and urgency

• CISA KEV: added 2026-08-26; federal due date 2026-08-29. Known ransomware use: Unknown.
• CISA required action: Apply mitigations in accordance with vendor instructions, ensuring compliance with CISA’s BOD 26-04 Prioritizing Security Updates Based on Risk (see URL in Notes) guidance and CISA’s “Forensics Triage Requirements” (see URL in Notes). Follow applicable BOD 26-04 guidance for cloud services or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable. Stakeholders are responsible for evaluating each asset's internet exposure and ensuring adherence to BOD 26-04 patching guidelines.
• CISA SSVC assessment: exploitation active, automatable no, technical impact total.
• FIRST EPSS (model of 2026-10-21): 8.86% probability of exploitation activity in the next 30 days; percentile 95.

Timeline

• 2022-03-25 — CVE record published by redhat
• 2026-08-26 — Added to CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog
• 2026-08-27 — CVE record last updated
• 2026-08-29 — CISA remediation deadline for US federal agencies
• 2026-09-18 — erroneo.us brief: Linux Kernel: Five Exploited Root Bugs Added to CISA KEV

Sources and references

Original sources first. Version and fix details should always be confirmed against the vendor or project advisory.

Vendor and project advisories, patches

1. Listed in CISA KEV notes (git.kernel.org) git.kernel.org

Vulnerability records

1. CVE.org record CVE-2022-0995 cve.org
2. NVD entry CVE-2022-0995 nvd.nist.gov

Government

1. CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog entry cisa.gov
2. Listed in CISA KEV notes (cisa.gov) cisa.gov
3. Listed in CISA KEV notes (cisa.gov) cisa.gov

Other references from the CVE record and advisory

1. bugzilla.redhat.com bugzilla.redhat.com
2. packetstormsecurity.com packetstormsecurity.com
3. packetstormsecurity.com packetstormsecurity.com
4. security.netapp.com security.netapp.com

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