CVE-2022-49416
📋 TL;DR
This is a use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's WiFi subsystem (mac80211) that occurs during channel context operations. When exploited, it could allow local attackers to crash the kernel or potentially execute arbitrary code. Systems running vulnerable Linux kernel versions with WiFi functionality are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Linux kernel
📦 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 panic leading to system crash or potential privilege escalation to root via arbitrary code execution in kernel context.
Likely Case
System instability, kernel crashes, or denial of service affecting WiFi connectivity.
If Mitigated
Minimal impact if proper access controls prevent local users from triggering the vulnerable code path.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires local access and ability to trigger specific WiFi channel context operations. No known public exploits as of this analysis.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Patched in stable kernel versions via commits: 265bec4779a38b65e86a25120370f200822dfa76, 2965c4cdf7ad9ce0796fac5e57debb9519ea721e, 4ba81e794f0fad6234f644c2da1ae14d5b95e1c4, 4f05a9e15edcdf5b97e0d86ab6ecd5f187289f6c, 6118bbdf69f4718b02d26bbcf2e497eb66004331
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to version containing the fix commits. 2. Check distribution-specific security advisories. 3. Reboot system to load new kernel.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable WiFi functionality
allIf WiFi is not required, disable the WiFi subsystem to prevent exploitation.
sudo modprobe -r mac80211
sudo systemctl disable wpa_supplicant
sudo rfkill block wifi
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict local user access to prevent untrusted users from triggering WiFi operations
- Implement strict access controls and monitor for suspicious kernel module operations
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check kernel version and verify if it includes the fix commits. Use: uname -r and check against distribution security advisories.Check Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel version after update and confirm fix commits are present in kernel source or distribution changelog.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel panic messages
- Oops messages in dmesg
- WiFi subsystem crashes
Network Indicators:
- Unexpected WiFi disconnections
- Interface state changes
SIEM Query:
Search for kernel panic events or mac80211 module errors in system logs🔗 References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/265bec4779a38b65e86a25120370f200822dfa76
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/2965c4cdf7ad9ce0796fac5e57debb9519ea721e
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/4ba81e794f0fad6234f644c2da1ae14d5b95e1c4
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/4f05a9e15edcdf5b97e0d86ab6ecd5f187289f6c
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/6118bbdf69f4718b02d26bbcf2e497eb66004331
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/82c8e7bbdd06c7ed58e22450cc5b37f33a25bb2c
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/88cc8f963febe192d6ded9df7217f92f380b449a
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/9f1e5cc85ad77e52f54049a94db0407445ae2a34
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/b79110f2bf6022e60e590d2e094728a8eec3e79e
