CVE-2022-49385 – This CVE describes a use-after-free vulnerabili... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2022-49385?

CVE-2022-49385 has a CVSS score of 7.8 (HIGH). This CVE describes a use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's driver subsystem. When driver attachment fails, the system improperly frees memory while still maintaining references to it, allowing attackers to potentially execute arbitrary code or crash the system. This affects all Linux systems with vulnerable kernel versions.

📋 TL;DR

This CVE describes a use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's driver subsystem. When driver attachment fails, the system improperly frees memory while still maintaining references to it, allowing attackers to potentially execute arbitrary code or crash the system. This affects all Linux systems with vulnerable kernel versions.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Linux kernel

Versions: Specific vulnerable versions not explicitly listed in CVE description; check git commits for exact ranges

Operating Systems: All Linux distributions using vulnerable kernel versions

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: All default configurations are vulnerable if using affected kernel versions. Requires driver attachment operations to trigger.

📦 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 →

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Local privilege escalation to root, allowing complete system compromise and potential lateral movement within the environment.

🟠

Likely Case

Kernel panic leading to system crash and denial of service, requiring physical or remote console access to reboot.

🟢

If Mitigated

Limited impact if SELinux/AppArmor or other mandatory access controls prevent exploitation, though system stability remains at risk.

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW - This requires local access to the system, not directly exploitable over the network.

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - While it requires local access, internal users or compromised services could exploit this for privilege escalation.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: MEDIUM

Requires local access and ability to trigger driver attachment failures. No known public exploits at this time.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Kernel versions containing the git commits referenced in the CVE

Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/310862e574001a97ad02272bac0fd13f75f42a27

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Update Linux kernel to patched version from your distribution's repositories. 2. Reboot system to load new kernel. 3. Verify kernel version after reboot.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Restrict driver loading

linux

Limit ability to load/unload drivers to prevent triggering the vulnerability

echo 1 > /proc/sys/kernel/modules_disabled
chmod 600 /proc/sys/kernel/modules_disabled

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Implement strict access controls to prevent unauthorized users from loading/unloading drivers
Monitor system logs for driver attachment failures and investigate any suspicious activity

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check kernel version against distribution security advisories. Run: uname -r and compare with patched versions.

Check Version:

uname -r

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify kernel version after update matches patched version. Check if git commit 310862e574001a97ad02272bac0fd13f75f42a27 is included in kernel source.

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Kernel oops messages
Driver attachment failures in dmesg
System crashes/panics

Network Indicators:

None - local vulnerability only

SIEM Query:

source="kernel" AND ("Oops" OR "general protection fault" OR "driver_attach failed")

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2022-49385

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-416

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

Published: February 26, 2025

Last Updated: March 25, 2025

🔗 References

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