CVE-2022-48784 – This CVE describes a race condition vulnerabili... (How to Fix)

📋 TL;DR

This CVE describes a race condition vulnerability in the Linux kernel's cfg80211 subsystem that can lead to a deadlock when destroying network interfaces. The vulnerability allows an attacker with local access to potentially cause a kernel panic or denial of service. It affects Linux systems using wireless networking with the cfg80211 subsystem.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Linux kernel

Versions: Specific affected versions not explicitly stated in CVE description, but references indicate stable kernel patches

Operating Systems: Linux distributions using vulnerable kernel versions

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Requires wireless networking (cfg80211 subsystem) to be enabled and in use

📦 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 panic leading to system crash and denial of service, requiring physical or remote console access to reboot

🟠

Likely Case

Local denial of service affecting wireless networking functionality, potentially requiring system reboot

🟢

If Mitigated

No impact if proper kernel patches are applied or if wireless networking is disabled

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW - Requires local access to exploit, not directly exploitable over network

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Local users or processes could trigger the race condition to cause denial of service

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: MEDIUM

Requires local access and ability to trigger specific race conditions in interface destruction

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Patches available in stable kernel trees (see git references in CVE)

Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/241e633cb379c4f332fc1baf2abec95ec840cbeb

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

Disable wireless networking

linux

Disable cfg80211 wireless subsystem if not needed

modprobe -r cfg80211
echo 'blacklist cfg80211' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Restrict local user access to prevent exploitation
Monitor system logs for kernel panic or wireless interface errors

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check kernel version and compare with patched versions from distribution vendor

Check Version:

uname -r

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify kernel version matches patched version and check for absence of race condition errors in dmesg

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Kernel panic messages
Deadlock warnings in dmesg
Wireless interface destruction errors

Network Indicators:

Sudden loss of wireless connectivity
Interface disappearance

SIEM Query:

source="kernel" AND ("deadlock" OR "panic" OR "cfg80211" OR "wlan")

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2022-48784

CVSS v3 Score: 4.7 (MEDIUM)

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

CWE: CWE-362

Published: July 16, 2024

Last Updated: February 3, 2025

🔗 References

📤 Share & Export

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🔗 Related Vulnerabilities

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