CVE-2022-48787
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a use-after-free vulnerability in the iwlwifi driver in the Linux kernel. When firmware loading fails completely, the driver incorrectly accesses already-freed memory, potentially allowing local attackers to crash the system or execute arbitrary code. This affects Linux systems using Intel wireless hardware with vulnerable kernel versions.
💻 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
Local privilege escalation to kernel-level code execution, potentially leading to full system compromise.
Likely Case
Kernel panic or system crash causing denial of service.
If Mitigated
System remains stable with no impact if patched or firmware loading succeeds.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires local access and ability to trigger firmware loading failure. Exploit would need to control freed memory region.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Kernel versions containing the fix commits (008508c16af0, 494de920d98f, 7d6475179b85, 9958b9cbb221, bea2662e7818)
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/008508c16af0087cda0394e1ac6f0493b01b6063
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to patched version. 2. For distributions: Use package manager (apt/yum/dnf) to update kernel package. 3. Reboot system to load new kernel.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable iwlwifi module
linuxPrevent loading of vulnerable driver module
echo 'blacklist iwlwifi' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist-iwlwifi.conf
rmmod iwlwifi
Ensure firmware availability
linuxPrevent trigger condition by ensuring wireless firmware is properly installed
apt install linux-firmware
yum install linux-firmware
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict local user access to systems with vulnerable kernels
- Implement strict access controls and monitor for privilege escalation attempts
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check kernel version and if iwlwifi module is loaded: uname -r && lsmod | grep iwlwifiCheck Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel version is updated and contains fix commits: uname -r && zgrep -i 'CVE-2022-48787\|008508c16af0\|iwlwifi.*use-after-free' /usr/src/linux-headers-$(uname -r)/.config📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel panic messages
- iwlwifi driver errors in dmesg
- System crashes related to wireless
Network Indicators:
- None - local vulnerability only
SIEM Query:
source="kernel" AND ("panic" OR "Oops" OR "iwlwifi")🔗 References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/008508c16af0087cda0394e1ac6f0493b01b6063
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/494de920d98f125b099f27a2d274850750aff957
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/7d6475179b85a83186ccce59cdc359d4f07d0bcb
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/9958b9cbb22145295ee1ffaea0904c383da2c05d
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/bea2662e7818e15d7607d17d57912ac984275d94
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/d3b98fe36f8a06ce654049540773256ab59cb53d
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/ddd46059f7d99119b62d44c519df7a79f2e6a515
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/008508c16af0087cda0394e1ac6f0493b01b6063
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/494de920d98f125b099f27a2d274850750aff957
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/7d6475179b85a83186ccce59cdc359d4f07d0bcb
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/9958b9cbb22145295ee1ffaea0904c383da2c05d
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/bea2662e7818e15d7607d17d57912ac984275d94
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/d3b98fe36f8a06ce654049540773256ab59cb53d
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/ddd46059f7d99119b62d44c519df7a79f2e6a515
