CVE-2022-48744 – This vulnerability in the Linux kernel's mlx5e ... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2022-48744?

CVE-2022-48744 has a CVSS score of 7.8 (HIGH). This vulnerability in the Linux kernel's mlx5e network driver involves a buffer overflow due to improper memory copying across structure fields. Attackers could potentially exploit this to cause kernel crashes or execute arbitrary code. Systems using affected Linux kernel versions with Mellanox network adapters are at risk.

📋 TL;DR

This vulnerability in the Linux kernel's mlx5e network driver involves a buffer overflow due to improper memory copying across structure fields. Attackers could potentially exploit this to cause kernel crashes or execute arbitrary code. Systems using affected Linux kernel versions with Mellanox network adapters are at risk.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Linux kernel mlx5e driver

Versions: Specific kernel versions containing the vulnerable code (check git commits for exact ranges)

Operating Systems: Linux distributions using affected kernel versions

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Requires Mellanox network adapters and XDP/eBPF functionality usage. Systems without mlx5e driver or XDP are not affected.

📦 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 →

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Kernel panic leading to system crash, or potential arbitrary code execution with kernel privileges resulting in complete system compromise.

🟠

Likely Case

System instability, kernel crashes, or denial of service affecting network functionality.

🟢

If Mitigated

No impact if patched or if FORTIFY_SOURCE protections are enabled and catch the overflow.

🌐 Internet-Facing: MEDIUM - Requires network access and specific conditions, but could be exploited remotely if combined with other vulnerabilities.

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Internal attackers with network access could potentially trigger the vulnerability.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: HIGH - Requires specific conditions and kernel knowledge

Exploitation requires triggering the specific memcpy operation with controlled data, likely through XDP/eBPF programs.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Kernel versions containing commits: 49bcbe531f79fc35bb10020f7695f9f01e4f0ca8, 8fbdf8c8b8ab82beab882175157650452c46493e, ad5185735f7dab342fdd0dd41044da4c9ccfef67

Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/49bcbe531f79fc35bb10020f7695f9f01e4f0ca8

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Update Linux kernel to patched version. 2. Reboot system. 3. Verify kernel version and that mlx5e module loads correctly.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable XDP/eBPF functionality

linux

Prevent triggering the vulnerable code path by disabling XDP/eBPF features on mlx5 interfaces

sudo ethtool -K <interface> xdp off
sudo tc qdisc del dev <interface> clsact

Enable FORTIFY_SOURCE

linux

Compile kernel with FORTIFY_SOURCE=2 to detect buffer overflows at runtime

Rebuild kernel with CONFIG_FORTIFY_SOURCE=y in kernel configuration

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Isolate affected systems from untrusted networks
Implement strict network filtering and monitor for abnormal mlx5e driver behavior

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check kernel version and if mlx5e module is loaded: lsmod | grep mlx5

Check Version:

uname -r

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify kernel version contains fix commits: grep -r '49bcbe531f79fc35bb10020f7695f9f01e4f0ca8' /boot/System.map*

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Kernel panic messages
mlx5e driver crash logs in dmesg
XDP program failure logs

Network Indicators:

Abnormal packet drops on mlx5 interfaces
Unexpected XDP program behavior

SIEM Query:

source="kernel" AND ("mlx5e" OR "XDP") AND ("panic" OR "Oops" OR "segfault")

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2022-48744

CVSS v3 Score: 7.8 (HIGH)

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

CWE: CWE-787

Published: June 20, 2024

Last Updated: January 21, 2026

🔗 References

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🔗 Related Vulnerabilities

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