CVE-2022-46395
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability in Arm Mali GPU Kernel Driver allows a non-privileged user to perform improper GPU processing operations to access already freed memory (use-after-free). This affects devices using affected Mali GPU drivers across multiple architectures, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution.
💻 Affected Systems
- Arm Mali GPU Kernel Driver
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Full system compromise with kernel-level arbitrary code execution, allowing attackers to bypass all security controls, install persistent malware, or access sensitive data.
Likely Case
Local privilege escalation from a non-privileged user to root/kernel privileges, enabling further system exploitation or data theft.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper kernel hardening, SELinux/app sandboxing, and least privilege principles are enforced, though still serious.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploit requires local access but no authentication beyond basic user privileges. Public proof-of-concept exists in Packet Storm references.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Midgard: r33p0+, Bifrost: r42p0+, Valhall: r42p0+, Avalon: r42p0+
Vendor Advisory: https://developer.arm.com/Arm%20Security%20Center/Mali%20GPU%20Driver%20Vulnerabilities
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Check current Mali driver version. 2. Obtain updated driver from device manufacturer or Arm. 3. Apply kernel/driver update. 4. Reboot system. 5. Verify updated version is running.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict GPU access
linuxLimit non-privileged user access to GPU operations via SELinux/app sandboxing policies
Disable vulnerable GPU features
allDisable specific GPU processing features if not required for functionality
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict application sandboxing to limit GPU access to trusted applications only
- Enforce principle of least privilege and monitor for suspicious GPU-related system calls
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check Mali GPU driver version via: cat /sys/kernel/debug/mali0/version or dmesg | grep -i maliCheck Version:
cat /sys/kernel/debug/mali0/version 2>/dev/null || dmesg | grep -i 'mali.*version'Verify Fix Applied:
Verify driver version is patched: Midgard >= r33p0, Bifrost >= r42p0, Valhall >= r42p0, Avalon >= r42p0📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual GPU memory access patterns
- Failed GPU operations from non-privileged users
- Kernel panic/crash logs related to Mali driver
Network Indicators:
- Not network exploitable - local privilege escalation only
SIEM Query:
Process monitoring for unexpected GPU access or privilege escalation attempts from user-space applications🔗 References
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/172855/Android-Arm-Mali-GPU-Arbitrary-Code-Execution.html
- https://developer.arm.com/Arm%20Security%20Center/Mali%20GPU%20Driver%20Vulnerabilities
- https://developer.arm.com/support/arm-security-updates
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/172855/Android-Arm-Mali-GPU-Arbitrary-Code-Execution.html
- https://developer.arm.com/Arm%20Security%20Center/Mali%20GPU%20Driver%20Vulnerabilities
- https://developer.arm.com/support/arm-security-updates
