CVE-2022-48873
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's FastRPC driver. An attacker could exploit this to cause memory corruption, potentially leading to system crashes or arbitrary code execution with kernel privileges. This affects Linux systems using the FastRPC subsystem, particularly those with Qualcomm hardware.
💻 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 →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 privilege escalation leading to full system compromise, arbitrary code execution at kernel level, and persistent root access.
Likely Case
System instability, kernel panics, denial of service, or local privilege escalation to root.
If Mitigated
Limited to denial of service if exploit fails or system has additional hardening.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires local access and knowledge of kernel memory layout. No public exploits known.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Kernel versions with commits: 193cd853145b63e670bd73740250983af1475330, 1b7b7bb400dd13dcb03fc6e591bb7ca4664bbec8, 35ddd482345c43d9eec1f3406c0f20a95ed4054b, 4b5c44e924a571d0ad07054de549624fbc04e4d7, 5bb96c8f9268e2fdb0e5321cbc358ee5941efc15
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/193cd853145b63e670bd73740250983af1475330
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to patched version from your distribution. 2. Reboot system to load new kernel. 3. Verify kernel version after reboot.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable FastRPC module
linuxUnload or blacklist the FastRPC kernel module if not required
sudo rmmod fastrpc
echo 'blacklist fastrpc' | sudo tee /etc/modprobe.d/fastrpc-blacklist.conf
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict local user access to systems with vulnerable kernels
- Implement strict privilege separation and limit user capabilities
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check kernel version and if FastRPC module is loaded: lsmod | grep fastrpcCheck Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel version is patched and FastRPC module loads without errors in dmesg📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel oops messages
- Segmentation faults in kernel logs
- FastRPC driver errors in dmesg
Network Indicators:
- None - local exploit only
SIEM Query:
source="kernel" AND ("fastrpc" OR "use-after-free" OR "general protection fault")🔗 References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/193cd853145b63e670bd73740250983af1475330
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/1b7b7bb400dd13dcb03fc6e591bb7ca4664bbec8
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/35ddd482345c43d9eec1f3406c0f20a95ed4054b
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/4b5c44e924a571d0ad07054de549624fbc04e4d7
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/5bb96c8f9268e2fdb0e5321cbc358ee5941efc15
