CVE-2022-48805 – This vulnerability in the Linux kernel's ax8817... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2022-48805?

CVE-2022-48805 has a CVSS score of 7.8 (HIGH). This vulnerability in the Linux kernel's ax88179_178a USB Ethernet driver allows out-of-bounds memory accesses when processing network packets from malicious USB devices. Attackers can read kernel heap memory and potentially write to kernel memory, leading to information disclosure or system compromise. Systems using affected Linux kernel versions with the ax88179_178a driver are vulnerable.

📋 TL;DR

This vulnerability in the Linux kernel's ax88179_178a USB Ethernet driver allows out-of-bounds memory accesses when processing network packets from malicious USB devices. Attackers can read kernel heap memory and potentially write to kernel memory, leading to information disclosure or system compromise. Systems using affected Linux kernel versions with the ax88179_178a driver are vulnerable.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Linux kernel

Versions: Versions before fixes in stable releases (check specific kernel versions for backports)

Operating Systems: Linux distributions using vulnerable kernel versions

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Only affects systems using the ax88179_178a USB Ethernet driver with vulnerable kernel versions. Requires USB device connection.

📦 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...

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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 memory corruption leading to privilege escalation, denial of service, or remote code execution if combined with other vulnerabilities.

🟠

Likely Case

Information disclosure of kernel heap memory through ICMPv6 echo replies containing random kernel data.

🟢

If Mitigated

Limited to USB-connected attacker with physical or compromised USB device access.

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW - Requires USB device connection, not directly network exploitable.

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Malicious USB devices could be plugged into vulnerable systems internally.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: MEDIUM

Requires physical USB device access or compromised USB device. Researcher demonstrated ICMPv6 heap data leak but full weaponization unknown.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Linux kernel stable releases containing fixes from git commits listed in references

Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/57bc3d3ae8c14df3ceb4e17d26ddf9eeab304581

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Update Linux kernel to patched version from your distribution. 2. Reboot system to load new kernel. 3. Verify driver module loads correctly.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable ax88179_178a driver

linux

Prevent loading of vulnerable driver module

echo 'blacklist ax88179_178a' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf
rmmod ax88179_178a

Restrict USB device access

linux

Use USB authorization or physical security to prevent unauthorized USB devices

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Implement strict USB device control policies and physical security
Monitor for unauthorized USB devices and kernel crash logs

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check kernel version and if ax88179_178a module is loaded: lsmod | grep ax88179_178a

Check Version:

uname -r

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify kernel version is patched and driver functions normally with USB Ethernet device

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Kernel oops or panic logs
USB device connection logs for ax88179 devices
Network traffic anomalies from USB Ethernet interfaces

Network Indicators:

Unusual ICMPv6 traffic from USB Ethernet interfaces
Network packets with suspicious payloads

SIEM Query:

source="kernel" AND ("ax88179" OR "oops" OR "panic")

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2022-48805

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-125

Published: July 16, 2024

Last Updated: March 6, 2025

🔗 References

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🔗 Related Vulnerabilities

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