CVE-2022-49503
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes an out-of-bounds memory access vulnerability in the Linux kernel's ath9k_htc wireless driver. An attacker could potentially cause a kernel crash or execute arbitrary code by sending specially crafted wireless packets. Systems using affected Linux kernel versions with ath9k_htc wireless hardware are vulnerable.
💻 Affected Systems
- Linux kernel with ath9k_htc wireless 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 panic leading to system crash or potential arbitrary code execution with kernel privileges, resulting in complete system compromise.
Likely Case
Kernel crash causing denial of service, requiring system reboot to restore functionality.
If Mitigated
No impact if patched or if the vulnerable driver is not loaded/used.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires sending specially crafted wireless packets to a vulnerable system with the affected driver active.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Linux kernel versions containing the fix commits referenced in the CVE
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0bcb528402cd5e1a6e1833e956fd58a12d509e8e
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to patched version from your distribution's repositories. 2. For custom kernels, apply the fix commits from kernel.org. 3. Rebuild and install the updated kernel.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable ath9k_htc driver
LinuxPrevent loading of the vulnerable wireless driver
echo 'blacklist ath9k_htc' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist-ath9k.conf
update-initramfs -u
reboot
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Disable or remove Atheros USB wireless adapters using the ath9k_htc driver
- Implement network segmentation to isolate systems with vulnerable wireless interfaces
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if ath9k_htc module is loaded: lsmod | grep ath9k_htc. Check kernel version: uname -r and compare with patched versions from your distribution.Check Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel version is updated to patched version and confirm the fix commit is present in kernel source.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel panic logs
- System crash/reboot events
- ath9k_htc driver error messages in dmesg
Network Indicators:
- Unusual wireless packet patterns targeting Atheros devices
SIEM Query:
source="kernel" AND ("ath9k_htc" OR "kernel panic" OR "Oops")🔗 References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0bcb528402cd5e1a6e1833e956fd58a12d509e8e
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/2326d398ccd41ba6d93b8346532dfa432ab00fee
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/2dc509305cf956381532792cb8dceef2b1504765
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/3dad3fed5672828c7fb0465cb66a3d9a70952fa6
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/461e4c1f199076275f16bf6f3d3e42c6b6c79f33
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/4bdcf32c965c27f55ccc4ee71c1927131115b0bb
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/7f6defe0fabc79f29603c6fa3c80e4fe0456a3e9
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/a048e0c3caa852397b7b50d4c82a0415c05f7ac3
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/eda518db7db16c360bc84379d90675650daa3048
