CVE-2022-48672
📋 TL;DR
This is a buffer overflow vulnerability in the Linux kernel's device tree unflattening function. An attacker could exploit this to cause a kernel panic (denial of service) or potentially execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. All Linux systems using affected kernel versions are vulnerable.
💻 Affected Systems
- Linux kernel
📦 What is this software?
Linux Kernel by Linux
The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...
Learn more about Linux Kernel →Linux Kernel by Linux
The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...
Learn more about Linux Kernel →Linux Kernel by Linux
The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...
Learn more about Linux Kernel →Linux Kernel by Linux
The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...
Learn more about Linux Kernel →Linux Kernel by Linux
The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...
Learn more about Linux Kernel →Linux Kernel by Linux
The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...
Learn more about Linux Kernel →⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Kernel memory corruption leading to arbitrary code execution with root privileges, complete system compromise, and potential lateral movement in cloud environments.
Likely Case
Kernel panic causing system crash and denial of service, requiring physical or remote reboot to restore functionality.
If Mitigated
System remains stable with no impact if patched or if exploit attempts are blocked by security controls.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires local access or ability to influence device tree data; static analysis found suggests potential for reliable exploitation.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Kernel versions containing commits: 2133f451311671c7c42b5640d2b999326b39aa0e, 2566706ac6393386a4e7c4ce23fe17f4c98d9aa0e, 2f945a792f67815abca26fa8a5e863ccf3fa1181, ba6b9f7cc1108bad6e2c53b1d6e0156379188db7, cbdda20ce363356698835185801a58a28f644853
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/2133f451311671c7c42b5640d2b999326b39aa0e
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to patched version from your distribution's repositories. 2. Reboot system to load new kernel. 3. Verify kernel version after reboot.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict device tree access
linuxLimit access to device tree interfaces and prevent untrusted users from modifying device tree data
chmod 600 /proc/device-tree/*
set appropriate SELinux/AppArmor policies for device tree paths
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict access controls to prevent local users from gaining initial foothold
- Monitor system logs for kernel panics or unusual device tree access patterns
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check kernel version and compare with distribution's security advisories; examine if kernel contains vulnerable unflatten_dt_nodes() functionCheck Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel version matches patched version from vendor advisory; check that system remains stable during device tree operations📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel panic messages
- OOPs (kernel crashes) related to device tree
- Corruption warnings in kernel logs
Network Indicators:
- None - this is a local kernel vulnerability
SIEM Query:
source="kernel" AND ("panic" OR "Oops" OR "device-tree")🔗 References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/2133f451311671c7c42b5640d2b999326b39aa0e
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/2566706ac6393386a4e7c4ce23fe17f4c98d9aa0
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/2f945a792f67815abca26fa8a5e863ccf3fa1181
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/ba6b9f7cc1108bad6e2c53b1d6e0156379188db7
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/cbdda20ce363356698835185801a58a28f644853
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e0e88c25f88b9805572263c9ed20f1d88742feaf
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/ee4369260e77821602102dcc7d792de39a56365c
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/2133f451311671c7c42b5640d2b999326b39aa0e
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/2566706ac6393386a4e7c4ce23fe17f4c98d9aa0
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/2f945a792f67815abca26fa8a5e863ccf3fa1181
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/ba6b9f7cc1108bad6e2c53b1d6e0156379188db7
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/cbdda20ce363356698835185801a58a28f644853
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e0e88c25f88b9805572263c9ed20f1d88742feaf
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/ee4369260e77821602102dcc7d792de39a56365c
