CVE-2022-50252
📋 TL;DR
This is a use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's igb network driver that occurs during memory allocation failures. When the system is under memory pressure, a failed allocation can leave a freed pointer in the driver's internal array, potentially leading to kernel crashes or privilege escalation. Systems using Intel Gigabit Ethernet adapters with the igb driver are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- Linux kernel with igb 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 privilege escalation to kernel mode allowing complete system compromise.
Likely Case
System instability, kernel crashes, or denial of service when the igb driver encounters memory pressure conditions.
If Mitigated
System remains stable as the vulnerability requires specific memory pressure conditions to trigger.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires triggering specific memory allocation failure conditions and manipulating the freed memory region.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Fixed in kernel commits: 0200f0fbb11e, 0668716506ca, 314f7092b277, 3cb18dea1119, 56483aecf6b2
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/stable/linux.git/
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to version containing the fix commits. 2. For distributions: Use package manager (apt/yum/dnf) to update kernel package. 3. Reboot system to load new kernel.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable igb driver
linuxRemove or blacklist the igb driver if not needed
echo 'blacklist igb' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf
rmmod igb
Memory pressure mitigation
linuxIncrease system memory or adjust memory management to reduce pressure
sysctl -w vm.min_free_kbytes=65536
sysctl -w vm.swappiness=10
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Monitor system memory usage and ensure adequate free memory
- Restrict local user access to systems using igb driver
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check kernel version and if igb module is loaded: lsmod | grep igb && uname -rCheck Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel version includes fix commits or is newer than affected versions📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel oops messages
- System crashes with igb driver stack traces
- dmesg errors related to memory allocation
Network Indicators:
- Network interface instability on igb interfaces
SIEM Query:
source="kernel" AND ("igb" OR "use-after-free" OR "general protection fault")🔗 References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0200f0fbb11e359cc35af72ab10b2ec224e6f633
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0668716506ca66f90d395f36ccdaebc3e0e84801
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/314f7092b27749bdde44c14095b5533afa2a3bc8
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/3cb18dea11196fb4a06f78294cec5e61985e1aff
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/56483aecf6b22eb7dff6315b3a174688c6ad494c
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/64ca1969599857143e91aeec4440640656100803
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/68e8adbcaf7a8743e473343b38b9dad66e2ac6f3
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/6e399577bd397a517df4b938601108c63769ce0a
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/f96bd8adc8adde25390965a8c1ee81b73cb62075
