CVE-2022-49203
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a double-free vulnerability in the AMD display driver component of the Linux kernel that occurs during GPU reset operations. The vulnerability can lead to memory corruption and potential kernel crashes, affecting systems with AMD graphics hardware running vulnerable Linux kernel versions. Attackers could potentially exploit this to cause denial of service or achieve local privilege escalation.
💻 Affected Systems
- Linux kernel with AMD GPU drivers
📦 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 →⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Local privilege escalation leading to full system compromise or persistent denial of service through kernel panic.
Likely Case
System crash or instability during GPU-intensive operations, requiring reboot to restore functionality.
If Mitigated
Minor system instability or application crashes without full system compromise.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires local access and ability to trigger GPU reset conditions, which may be possible through malicious applications or driver manipulation.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Linux kernel versions containing commits 32685b32d825ca08c5dec826477332df886c4743 and bbfcdd6289ba6f00f0cd7d496946dce9f6c600ac
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/32685b32d825ca08c5dec826477332df886c4743
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to 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
Disable AMD GPU driver
linuxTemporarily disable the affected AMD display driver component if not required.
modprobe -r amdgpu
echo 'blacklist amdgpu' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict local user access to systems with AMD GPUs
- Monitor system logs for GPU reset events and kernel panic indicators
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check kernel version and if AMD GPU driver is loaded: lsmod | grep amdgpu && uname -rCheck Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel version is updated and check git log for fix commits: git log --oneline | grep -E '32685b32d825|bbfcdd6289ba'📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel panic messages
- GPU reset events in dmesg
- Double-free warnings in kernel logs
Network Indicators:
- None - local vulnerability only
SIEM Query:
source="kernel" AND ("double free" OR "GPU reset" OR "amdgpu" AND panic)