CVE-2022-49419
📋 TL;DR
A use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's vesafb video framebuffer driver allows local attackers to potentially crash the system or execute arbitrary code. This affects Linux systems with vesafb enabled, requiring local access to exploit. The vulnerability occurs when the driver improperly handles memory cleanup during device removal.
💻 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 →⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Local privilege escalation to kernel-level code execution, potentially leading to full system compromise.
Likely Case
Kernel panic or system crash causing denial of service.
If Mitigated
No impact if vesafb driver is not loaded or system is patched.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires local access and knowledge of kernel memory layout. No public exploits known.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Kernel versions containing commits: 0fac5f8fb1bc2fc4f8714bf5e743c9cc3f547c63, acde4003efc16480375543638484d8f13f2e99a3, d260cad015945d1f4bb9b028a096f648506106a2, f605f5558ecc175ec70016a3c15f007cb6386531
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0fac5f8fb1bc2fc4f8714bf5e743c9cc3f547c63
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to patched version from your distribution's repositories. 2. Reboot system to load new kernel.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable vesafb module
LinuxPrevent loading of vulnerable vesafb driver
echo 'blacklist vesafb' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf
update-initramfs -u
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict local user access to prevent exploitation
- Monitor system logs for kernel panics or crashes
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if vesafb module is loaded: lsmod | grep vesafb AND check kernel version against patched versionsCheck Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel version includes fix commits and vesafb module loads without issues📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel panic messages
- Use-after-free kernel oops in dmesg
- System crashes related to framebuffer
Network Indicators:
- None - local exploit only
SIEM Query:
source="kernel" AND ("panic" OR "oops" OR "use-after-free") AND "vesafb"