CVE-2022-50359
📋 TL;DR
A null pointer dereference vulnerability in the Linux kernel's cx88 media driver allows local attackers to cause a kernel panic (denial of service) or potentially execute arbitrary code. This affects systems using the cx88 driver for video capture cards. Attackers need local access to exploit this vulnerability.
💻 Affected Systems
- Linux kernel with cx88 driver enabled
📦 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 and denial of service, with potential for privilege escalation if combined with other vulnerabilities.
Likely Case
System crash or kernel panic when vulnerable driver is used with specific media operations, requiring reboot to restore service.
If Mitigated
Minor service disruption if system automatically recovers from kernel panic, but still requires administrative intervention.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires local access and ability to interact with video capture device through V4L2 interface. No known public exploits.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Fixed in kernel commits: 10c99d1c46ea9cd940029e17bab11d021f315c21, 2b064d91440b33fba5b452f2d1b31f13ae911d71, 4befc7ffa18ef9a4b70d854465313a345a06862f, 644d5a87ab1863eb606526ea743021752a17e9cb, 6f21976095c1e92454ab030976f95f40d652351b
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/10c99d1c46ea9cd940029e17bab11d021f315c21
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to version containing the fix. 2. Check distribution security advisories for backported patches. 3. Reboot system to load new kernel.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable cx88 driver
LinuxPrevent loading of vulnerable driver if not needed
echo 'blacklist cx88' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist-cx88.conf
rmmod cx88
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict access to video capture devices to trusted users only
- Monitor system logs for kernel panic events related to cx88 driver
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if cx88 module is loaded: lsmod | grep cx88 AND check kernel version against distribution security advisoriesCheck Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel version includes fix commits or check distribution patch status. Test media capture functionality with cx88 device.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel panic messages
- general protection fault errors
- null-ptr-deref in cx88 buffer functions
Network Indicators:
- None - local vulnerability only
SIEM Query:
event_type:"kernel_panic" AND (process:"cx88" OR message:"null-ptr-deref")🔗 References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/10c99d1c46ea9cd940029e17bab11d021f315c21
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/2b064d91440b33fba5b452f2d1b31f13ae911d71
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/4befc7ffa18ef9a4b70d854465313a345a06862f
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/644d5a87ab1863eb606526ea743021752a17e9cb
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/6f21976095c1e92454ab030976f95f40d652351b
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/704838040f3bdb4aa07ff4f26505a666a3defcfe
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/9181af2dbf06e7f432e5dbe88d10b22343e851b9
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/c2257c8a501537afab276c306cb717b7260276e1
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/c76d04d2079a4b7369ce9a0e859c0f3f2250bcc1
