CVE-2022-49235
📋 TL;DR
This CVE-2022-49235 is an uninitialized memory vulnerability in the Linux kernel's ath9k_htc wireless driver that can leak kernel memory contents to USB devices. It affects systems using Atheros-based wireless hardware with the ath9k_htc driver. The vulnerability allows potential information disclosure of kernel memory.
💻 Affected Systems
- Linux kernel with ath9k_htc driver
📦 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 →⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Kernel memory information leak could expose sensitive data including cryptographic keys, process information, or other kernel structures to USB-connected devices or attackers with USB access.
Likely Case
Information disclosure of uninitialized kernel memory contents, potentially exposing random kernel data but not directly leading to code execution.
If Mitigated
Minimal impact with proper USB device restrictions and kernel memory protections in place.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires USB device access and specific wireless hardware. No public exploits known.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Fixed in Linux kernel stable releases via commits: 0b700f7d06492de34964b6f414120043364f8191, 11f11ac281f0c0b363d2940204f28bae0422ed71, 4d244b731188e0b63fc40a9d2dec72e9181fb37c, 5abf2b761b998063f5e2bae93fd4ab10e2a80f10, 5c2a6a8daa17a3f65b38b9a5574bb362c13fa1d9
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0b700f7d06492de34964b6f414120043364f8191
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 ath9k_htc driver
linuxPrevent loading of vulnerable driver module
echo 'blacklist ath9k_htc' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist-ath9k.conf
rmmod ath9k_htc
Restrict USB device access
linuxLimit USB device connections to trusted devices only
Configure udev rules or USBGuard policies
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Disconnect or avoid using Atheros-based USB wireless adapters
- Implement strict USB device control policies and monitoring
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if ath9k_htc module is loaded: lsmod | grep ath9k_htcCheck Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Check kernel version contains fix commits or verify driver version📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- KMSAN warnings in kernel logs
- USB error messages related to ath9k_htc
Network Indicators:
- Unusual USB device enumeration patterns
SIEM Query:
kernel: *KMSAN* OR kernel: *ath9k_htc* AND (error OR warning)🔗 References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0b700f7d06492de34964b6f414120043364f8191
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/11f11ac281f0c0b363d2940204f28bae0422ed71
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/4d244b731188e0b63fc40a9d2dec72e9181fb37c
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/5abf2b761b998063f5e2bae93fd4ab10e2a80f10
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/5c2a6a8daa17a3f65b38b9a5574bb362c13fa1d9
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/7da6169b6ebb75816b57be3beb829afa74f3b4b6
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/d1e0df1c57bd30871dd1c855742a7c346dbca853
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e352acdd378e9263cc4c6018e588f2dac7161d07
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/ee4222052a76559c20e821bc3519cefb58b6d3e9
