CVE-2022-48960
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's Hisilicon network driver. An attacker could potentially exploit this to crash the system or execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. Systems using affected Linux kernel versions with Hisilicon network hardware are vulnerable.
💻 Affected Systems
- Linux kernel with Hisilicon network driver (hix5hd2)
📦 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 →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 denial of service, or potential arbitrary code execution with kernel privileges resulting in complete system compromise.
Likely Case
System crash or kernel panic causing denial of service, requiring system reboot.
If Mitigated
No impact if patched or if system doesn't use affected Hisilicon network hardware.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires sending specially crafted network packets to trigger the use-after-free condition. No public exploits have been reported.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Linux kernel versions containing the fix commits (179499e7a240b2ef590f05eb379c810c26bbc8a4 and related)
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/179499e7a240b2ef590f05eb379c810c26bbc8a4
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to patched version from your distribution's repositories. 2. Reboot system to load new kernel.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable affected network interface
linuxTemporarily disable the Hisilicon network interface to prevent exploitation
sudo ip link set <interface_name> down
Unload vulnerable kernel module
linuxRemove the hix5hd2 kernel module if not needed
sudo rmmod hix5hd2
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement network segmentation to limit access to affected systems
- Use firewall rules to restrict network traffic to affected interfaces
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if hix5hd2 kernel module is loaded: lsmod | grep hix5hd2 AND check kernel version against patched versionsCheck Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel version is updated and hix5hd2 module version matches patched kernel📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel panic logs
- System crash/reboot events
- Network driver error messages in dmesg
Network Indicators:
- Unusual network traffic patterns to network interfaces
- High volume of malformed packets
SIEM Query:
source="kernel" AND ("panic" OR "oops" OR "hix5hd2")🔗 References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/179499e7a240b2ef590f05eb379c810c26bbc8a4
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/1b6360a093ab8969c91a30bb58b753282e2ced4c
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/3a4eddd1cb023a71df4152fcc76092953e6fe95a
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/433c07a13f59856e4585e89e86b7d4cc59348fab
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/8067cd244cea2c332f8326842fd10158fa2cb64f
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/93aaa4bb72e388f6a4887541fd3d18b84f1b5ddc
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/b6307f7a2fc1c5407b6176f2af34a95214a8c262
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/b8ce0e6f9f88a6bb49d291498377e61ea27a5387
