CVE-2022-49581

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2022-49581?

CVE-2022-49581 has a CVSS score of 7.8 (HIGH). This is a buffer overflow vulnerability in the Linux kernel's be2net driver that allows attackers to write beyond allocated memory boundaries when reading transceiver module EEPROM data. It affects systems using Broadcom Emulex network adapters with the vulnerable driver. Successful exploitation could lead to kernel crashes or potential privilege escalation.

7.8 HIGH

Denial of Service Buffer Overflow

📋 TL;DR

This is a buffer overflow vulnerability in the Linux kernel's be2net driver that allows attackers to write beyond allocated memory boundaries when reading transceiver module EEPROM data. It affects systems using Broadcom Emulex network adapters with the vulnerable driver. Successful exploitation could lead to kernel crashes or potential privilege escalation.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Linux kernel with be2net driver

Versions: Linux kernel versions before the fix commits (specific versions vary by distribution)

Operating Systems: Linux distributions using vulnerable kernel versions

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Requires Broadcom Emulex network adapters using the be2net driver. Not all systems with the driver may be vulnerable depending on hardware configuration.

📦 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...

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⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Kernel panic leading to system crash, or potential privilege escalation to root if combined with other vulnerabilities.

🟠

Likely Case

System instability, kernel crashes, or denial of service on affected systems.

🟢

If Mitigated

Limited impact if proper kernel hardening and memory protection mechanisms are enabled.

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW - Requires local access or network access to the affected interface, typically not directly internet-exposed.

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Affects internal systems with vulnerable network adapters, could be exploited by authenticated users or through network attacks.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: MEDIUM

Exploitation requires access to trigger the vulnerable function, typically through network interface operations. No public exploit code is known.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Linux kernel with commits 18043da94c023f3ef09c15017bdb04e8f695ef10 or later

Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/18043da94c023f3ef09c15017bdb04e8f695ef10

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Update Linux kernel to version containing the fix. 2. For distributions: Use package manager (apt/yum/dnf) to update kernel. 3. Reboot system to load new kernel.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable affected network interface

all

Temporarily disable the Broadcom Emulex network interface if not critical

sudo ip link set <interface_name> down

Blacklist be2net driver

all

Prevent loading of vulnerable driver module

echo 'blacklist be2net' | sudo tee /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist-be2net.conf
sudo update-initramfs -u

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Restrict access to systems with vulnerable drivers to trusted users only
Implement network segmentation to limit potential attack surface

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check kernel version and if be2net module is loaded: lsmod | grep be2net && uname -r

Check Version:

uname -r

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify kernel version is patched and check git commit history for the fix

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Kernel oops messages
System crashes related to be2net driver
Unexpected network interface resets

Network Indicators:

Unusual network interface behavior on affected systems

SIEM Query:

source="kernel" AND ("be2net" OR "buffer overflow" OR "general protection fault")

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2022-49581

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-787

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

Published: February 26, 2025

Last Updated: October 22, 2025

📋 TL;DR

💻 Affected Systems

📦 What is this software?

Linux Kernel by Linux

Linux Kernel by Linux

Linux Kernel by Linux

Linux Kernel by Linux

Linux Kernel by Linux

Linux Kernel by Linux

Linux Kernel by Linux

Linux Kernel by Linux

Linux Kernel by Linux

Linux Kernel by Linux

Linux Kernel by Linux

Linux Kernel by Linux

Linux Kernel by Linux

Linux Kernel by Linux

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

Worst Case

Likely Case

If Mitigated

🎯 Exploit Status

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Instructions:

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable affected network interface

Blacklist be2net driver

🧯 If You Can't Patch

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check Version:

Verify Fix Applied:

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Network Indicators:

SIEM Query:

📊 Metadata

🔗 References

📤 Share & Export

🔗 Related Vulnerabilities