CVE-2022-49170 – This CVE-2022-49170 is an array index out-of-bo... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2022-49170?

CVE-2022-49170 has a CVSS score of 7.8 (HIGH). This CVE-2022-49170 is an array index out-of-bounds vulnerability in the Linux kernel's F2FS filesystem driver. It allows attackers with access to mount corrupted F2FS images to trigger kernel memory corruption, potentially leading to denial of service or privilege escalation. Systems using F2FS filesystems are affected.

📋 TL;DR

This CVE-2022-49170 is an array index out-of-bounds vulnerability in the Linux kernel's F2FS filesystem driver. It allows attackers with access to mount corrupted F2FS images to trigger kernel memory corruption, potentially leading to denial of service or privilege escalation. Systems using F2FS filesystems are affected.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Linux kernel

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

Operating Systems: Linux distributions using affected kernel versions

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Only affects systems using F2FS filesystem. Requires ability to mount F2FS images.

📦 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 →

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Kernel panic leading to system crash, or potential privilege escalation to kernel mode if combined with other vulnerabilities.

🟠

Likely Case

System crash or kernel panic when mounting a maliciously crafted F2FS image, causing denial of service.

🟢

If Mitigated

No impact if proper access controls prevent mounting of untrusted filesystems.

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW - Requires local filesystem access to mount images.

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Malicious users with local access could crash systems or potentially escalate privileges.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: MEDIUM

Exploitation requires ability to mount a specially crafted F2FS image. No public exploit code known.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Linux kernel with commit 0748a0f7dcb9d9dddc80302d73ebcecef6782ef0 or later

Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0748a0f7dcb9d9dddc80302d73ebcecef6782ef0

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Update Linux kernel to version containing the fix commit. 2. Reboot system to load new kernel. 3. Verify kernel version after reboot.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable F2FS module

all

Prevent loading of F2FS kernel module to mitigate vulnerability

echo 'blacklist f2fs' > /etc/modprobe.d/f2fs-blacklist.conf
rmmod f2fs

Restrict mount permissions

all

Limit who can mount filesystems using sudoers or other access controls

# In /etc/sudoers, restrict mount command: 
# %admin ALL=(ALL) !/bin/mount, !/usr/bin/mount

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Restrict mount permissions to trusted users only
Monitor for attempts to mount F2FS filesystems from untrusted sources

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check kernel version and if F2FS module is loaded: uname -r && lsmod | grep f2fs

Check Version:

uname -r

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify kernel version contains fix commit: grep -q '0748a0f7dcb9d9dddc80302d73ebcecef6782ef0' /proc/version_signature || echo 'Check kernel changelog'

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Kernel panic messages
UBSAN: array-index-out-of-bounds in fs/f2fs/segment.c
F2FS mount failures

Network Indicators:

None - local filesystem vulnerability

SIEM Query:

source="kernel" AND ("UBSAN" OR "array-index-out-of-bounds" OR "f2fs/segment.c")

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2022-49170

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-129

EPSS Score: 0.04% exploit probability (10.3th percentile)

Published: February 26, 2025

Last Updated: September 23, 2025

🔗 References

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🔗 Related Vulnerabilities

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