CVE-2022-49832 – This CVE describes a null pointer dereference v... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2022-49832?

CVE-2022-49832 has a CVSS score of 5.5 (MEDIUM). This CVE describes a null pointer dereference vulnerability in the Linux kernel's pinctrl device tree subsystem. When kasprintf() fails to allocate memory and returns NULL, the pinctrl_dt_to_map function attempts to use this pointer, causing a kernel crash. This affects all Linux systems using the affected kernel versions with pinctrl device tree functionality.

📋 TL;DR

This CVE describes a null pointer dereference vulnerability in the Linux kernel's pinctrl device tree subsystem. When kasprintf() fails to allocate memory and returns NULL, the pinctrl_dt_to_map function attempts to use this pointer, causing a kernel crash. This affects all Linux systems using the affected kernel versions with pinctrl device tree functionality.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Linux kernel

Versions: Specific affected versions not specified in CVE, but patches available for multiple stable branches

Operating Systems: Linux distributions using affected kernel versions

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Requires pinctrl device tree functionality to be used. Embedded systems and devices using device trees are particularly affected.

📦 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 →

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 and denial of service, potentially causing data loss or service disruption.

🟠

Likely Case

Local denial of service through kernel crash when specific device tree operations are performed.

🟢

If Mitigated

Minimal impact with proper memory management and kernel hardening features enabled.

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW - Requires local access or ability to trigger specific kernel operations.

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Local users or processes could potentially trigger the crash.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: MEDIUM

Requires ability to trigger specific kernel operations, typically through local access or specific device interactions.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Multiple stable kernel versions with commits referenced in CVE

Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/040f726fecd88121f3b95e70369785ad452dddf9

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Update Linux kernel to patched version. 2. Check distribution-specific security advisories. 3. Reboot system after kernel update.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable pinctrl device tree functionality

linux

Remove or disable pinctrl device tree support if not required

echo 'blacklist pinctrl' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Implement strict access controls to limit who can trigger device tree operations
Enable kernel hardening features like KASAN to detect and prevent exploitation

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check kernel version and compare with patched versions in git commits. Use 'uname -r' and verify against distribution security advisories.

Check Version:

uname -r

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify kernel version is updated to include the fix commits. Check /proc/version or use 'uname -a'.

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Kernel panic messages
KASAN null pointer dereference reports
System crash/reboot logs

Network Indicators:

None - local vulnerability

SIEM Query:

source="kernel" AND ("KASAN" OR "null-ptr-deref" OR "pinctrl_dt_to_map")

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2022-49832

CVSS v3 Score: 5.5 (MEDIUM)

CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

CWE: CWE-476

EPSS Score: 0.03% exploit probability (8.6th percentile)

Published: May 1, 2025

Last Updated: November 10, 2025

🔗 References

📤 Share & Export

📄 Export Markdown 📋 Export JSON

🔗 Related Vulnerabilities

If you're affected by CVE-2022-49832, you might also want to check these: