CVE-2022-49025 – This CVE describes a use-after-free vulnerabili... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2022-49025?

CVE-2022-49025 has a CVSS score of 7.8 (HIGH). This CVE describes a use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's mlx5e network driver. When multiple destination termination tables fail during rule creation, the driver doesn't properly reset a pointer, leading to memory corruption when releasing network rules. This affects systems using Mellanox network adapters with the mlx5e driver.

📋 TL;DR

This CVE describes a use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's mlx5e network driver. When multiple destination termination tables fail during rule creation, the driver doesn't properly reset a pointer, leading to memory corruption when releasing network rules. This affects systems using Mellanox network adapters with the mlx5e driver.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Linux kernel with mlx5e driver

Versions: Linux kernel versions before the fix commits (specific versions vary by distribution)

Operating Systems: Linux distributions using vulnerable kernel versions

Default Config Vulnerable: ✅ No

Notes: Only vulnerable when using Mellanox network adapters with termination table configurations and specific error conditions during rule creation.

📦 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 →

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, potential privilege escalation to kernel mode, or arbitrary code execution in kernel context.

🟠

Likely Case

System instability, kernel crashes, or denial of service affecting network connectivity on affected systems.

🟢

If Mitigated

Limited impact if systems are properly segmented and don't process untrusted network traffic through affected drivers.

🌐 Internet-Facing: MEDIUM - Requires specific network configuration and traffic patterns to trigger, but could be exploited through crafted network packets.

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Internal systems using affected network configurations could be vulnerable to exploitation.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ⚠️ Yes

Complexity: HIGH

Exploitation requires specific network configuration and timing to trigger the use-after-free condition. No public exploits known at this time.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Linux kernel versions containing the fix commits (0a2d73a77060c3cbdc6e801cd5d979d674cd404b and related)

Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0a2d73a77060c3cbdc6e801cd5d979d674cd404b

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Update Linux kernel to version containing the fix. 2. For distributions: Use package manager to update kernel package. 3. Reboot system to load new kernel.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable termination table features

linux

Avoid using termination table configurations in mlx5e driver if not required

Use alternative network drivers

linux

Switch to different network interface drivers if available

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Segment affected systems from untrusted networks
Monitor for kernel crashes or instability related to network operations

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check kernel version and if mlx5e driver is loaded: 'uname -r' and 'lsmod | grep mlx5'

Check Version:

uname -r

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify kernel version is updated to one containing the fix commits, then check system logs for stability

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Kernel panic messages
OOPs (kernel crashes)
mlx5e driver error messages in dmesg

Network Indicators:

Unexpected network connectivity loss on systems with Mellanox adapters

SIEM Query:

search 'kernel panic' OR 'Oops' OR 'mlx5e' in system logs

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2022-49025

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-416

Published: October 21, 2024

Last Updated: October 24, 2024

🔗 References

📤 Share & Export

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🔗 Related Vulnerabilities

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