CVE-2022-20966

CVE-2022-20966 is a vulnerability discovered in the Linux kernel, affecting versions 5.14 and newer. The flaw allows attackers to gain elevated privileges on affected systems by exploiting a race condition in the code. This means that an attacker can execute arbitrary code with root-level permissions, effectively taking full control of the system. The vulnerability was first reported in February 2022 by security researcher Jann Horn, who also provided a proof-of-concept exploit demonstrating how the flaw could be used to gain root access. The Linux kernel team quickly released patches to address the issue, but it is important for users to ensure that they are running an updated version of the kernel to protect against this vulnerability. Despite the prompt response from the Linux kernel team, CVE-2022-20966 serves as a reminder of the importance of regular software updates and vulnerability management. Flaws like this are often discovered and exploited by attackers, so it is crucial for organizations to stay vigilant and keep their systems up-to-date with the latest security patches and fixes.