CVE-2022-48841
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a NULL pointer dereference vulnerability in the Linux kernel's Intel Ethernet Connection Controller (ice) driver. When the ice_update_vsi_tx_ring_stats() function attempts to update network interface statistics, it can crash the kernel if a network ring pointer is NULL. This affects systems using Intel Ethernet controllers with the vulnerable driver.
💻 Affected Systems
- Linux kernel with Intel Ethernet Connection Controller driver (ice)
📦 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 →⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Kernel panic leading to system crash and denial of service, potentially causing service disruption and data loss.
Likely Case
System crash or kernel panic when the vulnerable code path is triggered during network operations.
If Mitigated
No impact if patched or if the vulnerable driver isn't loaded.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires triggering the vulnerable code path, which may occur during normal network operations or could be deliberately triggered by a local user.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Patched in kernel commits 2397270ec97c5e3009a58ac110a25e1869e9d6ff and f153546913bada41a811722f2c6d17c3243a0333
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/2397270ec97c5e3009a58ac110a25e1869e9d6ff
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to version containing the fix. 2. Reboot system to load patched kernel. 3. Verify kernel version after reboot.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Unload ice driver
linuxRemove the vulnerable ice driver module if not needed
sudo rmmod ice
Blacklist ice driver
linuxPrevent ice driver from loading at boot
echo 'blacklist ice' | sudo tee /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist-ice.conf
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Monitor system logs for kernel panic or crash events
- Implement network traffic monitoring to detect abnormal patterns that might trigger the vulnerability
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if ice driver is loaded: lsmod | grep iceCheck Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Check kernel version includes fix commits or verify ice driver version📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel panic messages
- NULL pointer dereference errors in kernel logs
- System crash/reboot events
Network Indicators:
- Sudden loss of network connectivity on affected interfaces
SIEM Query:
source="kernel" AND ("NULL pointer" OR "ice_update_vsi_tx_ring_stats" OR "kernel panic")