Linux Kernel Privilege Escalation via cgroups v1 release_agent (CVE-2022-0492)

Historical catalog analysis: CISA added this entry on June 02, 2026. The entry reflects catalog information retrieved on August 31, 2026, not a snapshot archived on the inclusion date. Check current vendor guidance before acting.

What the vulnerability is

CVE-2022-0492 is an improper authentication vulnerability (CWE-287, CWE-862) within the Linux kernel. The flaw resides in the release_agent feature of cgroups v1, which could be leveraged to achieve privilege escalation on affected systems.

Exposure and applicability

This vulnerability affects environments utilizing the Linux kernel where the cgroups v1 release_agent functionality is accessible. Because the Linux kernel is a foundational component used across numerous distributions and cloud service providers, exposure varies by vendor implementation. Organizations operating containerized workloads or custom Linux distributions should prioritize identifying whether their current kernel version and configuration are susceptible to this specific privilege escalation path.

Remediation priorities

Based on our analysis, vulnerability management teams should prioritize the following actions:

1. Inventory Kernel Versions: Identify all active Linux assets and determine if they utilize cgroups v1. This is a prerequisite for determining if the release_agent feature is an available attack vector.
2. Apply Vendor-Specific Patches: Since this affects a common open-source component, defenders must consult their specific OS vendor (e.g., Red Hat, Ubuntu, SUSE) or cloud provider for the appropriate patch level.
3. Cloud Service Review: For assets hosted in cloud environments, review guidance related to BOD 22-01 to ensure that the underlying infrastructure provided by the CSP has been mitigated.
4. Decommission Unmitigated Assets: In scenarios where a vendor mitigation is unavailable or cannot be applied, our analysis suggests discontinuing use of the affected product to eliminate the exposure.

How to validate remediation

Verification must go beyond a simple version check, as kernel patches are often backported by vendors without changing the primary version string. To verify that exposure has been reduced:

• Vendor Patch Confirmation: Cross-reference the installed package version against the vendor’s specific security advisory for CVE-2022-0492 to ensure the fix is present.
• Configuration Audit: Verify if cgroups v1 release_agent functionality has been disabled or restricted according to the vendor’s mitigation guidance.

Confirmation of a patch installation does not guarantee total immunity; it only indicates that the known flaw described in this CVE has been addressed.

Limits and open questions

There is currently no data provided regarding whether this vulnerability has been utilized by ransomware campaigns. Additionally, because this is an open-source component integrated into many different products, there is no single universal patch; remediation is entirely dependent on the upstream vendor’s release cycle. Residual risk remains if legacy systems cannot be patched or if compensating controls fail to restrict access to the cgroups v1 interface.

Source and editorial note

CVE-2022-0492: Linux Kernel Improper Authentication Vulnerability · Source date: June 02, 2026 · Retrieved August 31, 2026.

Material facts are tied to the cited primary source. Recommendations are independent defensive analysis unless attributed to the source. Confirm consequential decisions against current authoritative guidance.

Archive date: June 05, 2026. The displayed post date is assigned three days after the source date to organize this retrospective archive; it does not mean this site published the analysis then. First published by this site: September 09, 2026 at 02:10 UTC.

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