CVE-2022-50440
📋 TL;DR
This CVE is a NULL pointer dereference vulnerability in the VMware graphics driver (vmwgfx) in the Linux kernel. It allows local attackers to cause a kernel crash (denial of service) by sending specially crafted DMA surface copy operations. Systems using VMware virtual graphics with the affected driver are vulnerable.
💻 Affected Systems
- Linux kernel with vmwgfx 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 and denial of service, potentially requiring physical console access to reboot.
Likely Case
Local denial of service causing system instability or crash, requiring reboot to restore functionality.
If Mitigated
Minimal impact if proper access controls prevent local users from accessing graphics operations.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires local access and knowledge of graphics operations. No public exploit code has been disclosed.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Fixed in kernel commits: 439cbbc1519547f9a7b483f0de33b556ebfec901, 4cf949c7fafe21e085a4ee386bb2dade9067316e, 4d54d11b49860686331c58a00f733b16a93edfc4, 50d177f90b63ea4138560e500d92be5e4c928186, 622d527decaac0eb65512acada935a0fdc1d0202
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/439cbbc1519547f9a7b483f0de33b556ebfec901
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to version containing the fix commits. 2. Check distribution-specific security advisories. 3. Reboot system after kernel update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable vmwgfx module
linuxPrevent loading of the vulnerable VMware graphics driver
echo 'blacklist vmwgfx' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf
rmmod vmwgfx
Restrict local access
allLimit local user access to prevent exploitation
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict access controls to prevent unauthorized local users from accessing the system
- Monitor system logs for kernel panic events and investigate any crashes
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check kernel version and if vmwgfx module is loaded: lsmod | grep vmwgfx && uname -rCheck Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel version is updated beyond fix commits and vmwgfx module loads without issues📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel panic messages
- System crash/reboot events
- Graphics driver error messages
Network Indicators:
- None - local exploit only
SIEM Query:
source="kernel" AND ("panic" OR "Oops" OR "vmwgfx")🔗 References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/439cbbc1519547f9a7b483f0de33b556ebfec901
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/4cf949c7fafe21e085a4ee386bb2dade9067316e
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/4d54d11b49860686331c58a00f733b16a93edfc4
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/50d177f90b63ea4138560e500d92be5e4c928186
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/622d527decaac0eb65512acada935a0fdc1d0202
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/6948e570f54f2044dd4da444b10471373a047eeb
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/6b4e70a428b5a11f56db94047b68e144529fe512
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/94b283341f9f3f0ed56a360533766377a01540e0
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/ee8d31836cbe7c26e207bfa0a4a726f0a25cfcf6
