CVE-2022-50417
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability in the Linux kernel's Panfrost GPU driver allows user-space applications to potentially cause a use-after-free condition by manipulating GEM handle references. It affects systems using Panfrost GPU drivers for ARM Mali GPUs. Attackers with local access could exploit this to crash the system or potentially execute arbitrary code.
💻 Affected Systems
- Linux kernel with Panfrost GPU 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 →⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Local privilege escalation leading to kernel compromise and full system control
Likely Case
Kernel panic or system crash causing denial of service
If Mitigated
Limited to denial of service if proper isolation and privilege separation are in place
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires local access and knowledge of kernel memory management. No public exploits known at this time.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Fixed in kernel commits: 0b70f6ea4d4f2b4d4b291d86ab76b4d07394932c, 3f9feffa8a5ab08b4e298a27b1aa7204a7d42ca2, 4217c6ac817451d5116687f3cc6286220dc43d49, 4f1105ee72d8c7c35d90e3491b31b2d9d6b7e33a, ba3d2c2380e7129b525a787489c0b7e819a3b898
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0b70f6ea4d4f2b4d4b291d86ab76b4d07394932c
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to version containing the fix commits. 2. Check your distribution's security advisories for specific patched versions. 3. Reboot the system after kernel update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable Panfrost driver
linuxDisable the vulnerable Panfrost GPU driver if not needed
modprobe -r panfrost
echo 'blacklist panfrost' > /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist-panfrost.conf
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict local user access to systems with Panfrost GPU drivers
- Implement strict application sandboxing and privilege separation
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check kernel version and if Panfrost driver is loaded: lsmod | grep panfrost && uname -rCheck Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel version is after fix commits and Panfrost driver version is updated📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel oops messages
- Panic logs related to GPU or memory management
- drm/panfrost error messages in dmesg
Network Indicators:
- None - local vulnerability only
SIEM Query:
Search for kernel panic logs or drm/panfrost related errors in system logs🔗 References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0b70f6ea4d4f2b4d4b291d86ab76b4d07394932c
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/3f9feffa8a5ab08b4e298a27b1aa7204a7d42ca2
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/4217c6ac817451d5116687f3cc6286220dc43d49
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/4f1105ee72d8c7c35d90e3491b31b2d9d6b7e33a
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/ba3d2c2380e7129b525a787489c0b7e819a3b898
