CVE-2022-2196

Name: CVE-2022-2196
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2023-01-09T11:15:10.583+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 8.8/10EPSS 0.29%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2022-2196 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 8.8/10 on the CVSS scale. A regression exists in the Linux Kernel within KVM: nVMX that allowed for speculative execution attacks. L2 can carry out Spectre v2 attacks on L1 due to L1 thinking it doesn't need retpolines or IBPB after running L2 due to KVM (L0) advertising eIBRS support to L1. An attacker at L2 with code execution can execute code on an indirect branch on the host machine. EPSS estimates a 0.29% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

A regression exists in the Linux Kernel within KVM: nVMX that allowed for speculative execution attacks. L2 can carry out Spectre v2 attacks on L1 due to L1 thinking it doesn't need retpolines or IBPB after running L2 due to KVM (L0) advertising eIBRS support to L1. An attacker at L2 with code execution can execute code on an indirect branch on the host machine. We recommend upgrading to Kernel 6.2 or past commit 2e7eab81425a

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

8.8/10

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H

EPSS Probability

0.29%

20.1th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 5.4.47, < 5.4.233
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 5.6.19, < 5.7
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 5.7.3, < 5.10.170
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 5.11, < 5.15.96
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 5.16, < 6.1.14
Debian	Debian Linux	10.0

References

https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/?id=2e7eab81425ad6c875f2ed47c0ce01e78afc38a5Mailing List, Patch, Vendor Advisory
https://kernel.dance/#2e7eab81425aPatch, Third Party Advisory
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2023/05/msg00005.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/?id=2e7eab81425ad6c875f2ed47c0ce01e78afc38a5Mailing List, Patch, Vendor Advisory
https://kernel.dance/#2e7eab81425aPatch, Third Party Advisory
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2023/05/msg00005.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20230223-0002/

Timeline

Published: Jan 9, 2023
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2022-2196?

How severe is CVE-2022-2196?

CVE-2022-2196 has a CVSS score of 8.8/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.29% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2022-2196?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

Are you affected by CVE-2022-2196?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST