CVE-2022-49237
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a memory leak vulnerability in the Linux kernel's ath11k wireless driver. The driver fails to properly release memory references when handling device tree nodes, which could lead to kernel memory exhaustion over time. This affects Linux systems using Qualcomm Atheros ath11k Wi-Fi hardware.
💻 Affected Systems
- Linux kernel with ath11k 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 →⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Sustained exploitation could cause kernel memory exhaustion leading to system instability, crashes, or denial of service requiring reboot.
Likely Case
Gradual memory leak during normal Wi-Fi operations causing performance degradation over time, potentially requiring system restart.
If Mitigated
Minimal impact with proper monitoring and regular system maintenance; memory pressure might be noticeable but manageable.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires ability to trigger device tree node operations through Wi-Fi driver interactions. No known active exploitation.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Fixed in kernel commits 3d38faef0de1756994b3d95e47b2302842f729e2 and 7d51cb010b20d70b16dc6e4341bf29d6c5b32564
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/3d38faef0de1756994b3d95e47b2302842f729e2
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 patched kernel.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Unload ath11k module
linuxTemporarily disable the vulnerable driver if Wi-Fi functionality is not required
sudo modprobe -r ath11k
Blacklist ath11k module
linuxPrevent ath11k driver from loading at boot
echo 'blacklist ath11k' | sudo tee /etc/modprobe.d/ath11k-blacklist.conf
sudo update-initramfs -u
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Monitor system memory usage for unusual growth patterns
- Schedule regular system reboots to clear accumulated memory leaks
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if ath11k module is loaded: lsmod | grep ath11k. If loaded, check kernel version against patched versions.Check Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel version includes fix commits or is newer than vulnerable versions. Check dmesg for ath11k-related memory leak messages.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel oom-killer messages
- Increasing memory usage in /proc/meminfo
- dmesg warnings about memory pressure
Network Indicators:
- None - this is a local memory management issue
SIEM Query:
source="kernel" AND ("ath11k" OR "of_node" OR "memory leak")