CVE-2022-48708
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a NULL pointer dereference vulnerability in the Linux kernel's pinctrl-single driver. If exploited, it could cause a kernel panic or system crash, affecting all Linux systems using this driver. The vulnerability occurs when pinmux_generic_get_function() returns NULL but the code doesn't check before dereferencing.
💻 Affected Systems
- Linux kernel with pinctrl-single driver
📦 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 →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 →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 panic leading to system crash and denial of service, potentially causing data loss or system instability.
Likely Case
System crash or kernel panic requiring reboot, resulting in temporary denial of service.
If Mitigated
Minimal impact if system has proper monitoring and redundancy; single system crash without data loss.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires local access to trigger the vulnerable code path. No known public exploits as of current knowledge.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Fixed in kernel commits: 1177bdafe87c, 2b763f7de108, 6e2a0521e4e8, 71668706fbe7, bcc487001a15
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/1177bdafe87cbe543a2dc48a9bbac265aa5864db
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to version containing the fix commits. 2. Check your distribution's security advisories for specific patched versions. 3. Reboot system after kernel update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable pinctrl-single module
linuxPrevent loading of the vulnerable pinctrl-single driver if not required
echo 'blacklist pinctrl_single' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf
rmmod pinctrl_single
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict local user access to systems using pinctrl-single driver
- Implement system monitoring for kernel panics and have rapid recovery procedures
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check kernel version and if pinctrl_single module is loaded: lsmod | grep pinctrl_singleCheck Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel version includes fix commits or check with: grep -q 'pcs_set_mux' /proc/kallsyms && echo 'Check version'📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel panic messages in /var/log/kern.log or dmesg
- System crash/reboot events
Network Indicators:
- Sudden loss of connectivity to system
SIEM Query:
source="kernel" AND "panic" OR "Oops" OR "NULL pointer dereference"🔗 References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/1177bdafe87cbe543a2dc48a9bbac265aa5864db
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/2b763f7de108cb1a5ad5ed08e617d677341947cb
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/6e2a0521e4e84a2698f2da3950fb5c5496a4d208
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/71668706fbe7d20e6f172fa3287fa8aac1b56c26
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/bcc487001a15f71f103d102cba4ac8145d7a68f2
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/d2d73e6d4822140445ad4a7b1c6091e0f5fe703b
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e671e63587c92b3fd767cf82e73129f6d5feeb33
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/1177bdafe87cbe543a2dc48a9bbac265aa5864db
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/2b763f7de108cb1a5ad5ed08e617d677341947cb
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/6e2a0521e4e84a2698f2da3950fb5c5496a4d208
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/71668706fbe7d20e6f172fa3287fa8aac1b56c26
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/bcc487001a15f71f103d102cba4ac8145d7a68f2
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/d2d73e6d4822140445ad4a7b1c6091e0f5fe703b
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e671e63587c92b3fd767cf82e73129f6d5feeb33
