CVE-2022-50192
📋 TL;DR
This is a use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's SPI driver for NVIDIA Tegra processors. An attacker with local access can trigger memory corruption by exploiting improper reference counting during device removal, potentially leading to privilege escalation or system crashes. Systems using affected Linux kernel versions with Tegra SPI hardware are vulnerable.
💻 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 access, allowing complete system compromise, data theft, or persistent backdoor installation.
Likely Case
Kernel panic or system crash causing denial of service, potentially leading to data corruption in memory-sensitive applications.
If Mitigated
Limited to denial of service if kernel hardening features like KASLR and stack protection are enabled, though privilege escalation remains possible.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires local access and ability to trigger SPI device removal. Exploitation depends on specific memory layout and timing.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Kernel commits: 415b4ce61308f24583912d887772dfcbf97f1d20, 67f77172644260482fdafc03b6025847944701e5, 7e9984d183bb1e99e766c5c2b950ff21f7f7b6c0, 800c7767e05d29656713e04532823a752e57e037
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/415b4ce61308f24583912d887772dfcbf97f1d20
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to version containing the fix. 2. Check your distribution's security advisories for backported patches. 3. Rebuild kernel if compiling from source. 4. Reboot system to load patched kernel.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Tegra SPI driver
linuxRemove or blacklist the vulnerable tegra20-slink driver if Tegra SPI functionality is not required.
echo 'blacklist tegra20-slink' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf
rmmod tegra20-slink
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict local access to trusted users only using strict authentication and authorization controls.
- Implement kernel hardening features like SELinux/AppArmor to limit impact of potential privilege escalation.
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check kernel version and if tegra20-slink module is loaded: 'uname -r' and 'lsmod | grep tegra20-slink'Check Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel version is patched and check for absence of UAF errors in kernel logs: 'dmesg | grep -i "use-after-free\|tegra\|slink"'📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel panic messages
- Use-after-free warnings in dmesg
- SPI driver error messages
Network Indicators:
- None - local exploitation only
SIEM Query:
source="kernel" AND ("use-after-free" OR "tegra" OR "slink" OR "UAF")