CVE-2022-49106
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a NULL pointer dereference vulnerability in the Linux kernel's vchiq_arm driver. If exploited, it could cause a kernel panic leading to denial of service. Systems running affected Linux kernel versions with the vchiq_arm driver loaded are vulnerable.
💻 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 →⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Kernel panic leading to system crash and denial of service, potentially requiring physical access to reboot the system.
Likely Case
Local denial of service through kernel panic, requiring system reboot to restore functionality.
If Mitigated
No impact if the vchiq_arm driver is not loaded or the system is patched.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires local access to trigger the vulnerable code path. The vulnerability is in a staging driver, which may limit exposure.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Kernel versions containing the fix commits: 176df12b38c70b0a45e6392a0ee5bc83489dfc29, 4627250cabaa80278d3ab01ad107893cea83799f, 51e5e5c34c22c0bfec0808d8c33e0b2fcf4c7c89, aa899e686d442c63d50f4d369cc02dbbf0941cb0
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/176df12b38c70b0a45e6392a0ee5bc83489dfc29
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to a version containing the fix commits. 2. For distributions: Use package manager (apt/yum/dnf) to update kernel package. 3. Reboot system to load new kernel.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Unload vchiq_arm driver
linuxRemove the vulnerable driver module if not needed
sudo rmmod vchiq_arm
Blacklist vchiq_arm driver
linuxPrevent driver from loading at boot
echo 'blacklist vchiq_arm' | sudo tee /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist-vchiq.conf
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict local user access to systems using vchiq_arm driver
- Implement monitoring for kernel panic events and system crashes
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if vchiq_arm driver is loaded: lsmod | grep vchiq_armCheck Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Check kernel version against patched versions and verify vchiq_arm driver is either not loaded or system is patched📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel panic messages in /var/log/kern.log or dmesg
- System crash/reboot events
Network Indicators:
- None - local vulnerability only
SIEM Query:
source="kern.log" AND "kernel panic" OR "Oops" OR "NULL pointer dereference"