CVE-2022-50503
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a null pointer dereference vulnerability in the Linux kernel's LPDDR2 NVM driver. If exploited, it could cause a kernel panic or system crash, affecting any system running vulnerable Linux kernel versions with this driver loaded. The vulnerability occurs when platform_get_resource() returns NULL but the code proceeds to call resource_size() without proper null checking.
💻 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 →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 causing data loss or service disruption.
Likely Case
System crash or kernel panic requiring reboot, resulting in temporary service unavailability.
If Mitigated
No impact if the vulnerable driver is not loaded or the system is patched.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires triggering the specific code path in the lpddr2_nvm driver, which may require specific hardware or driver configuration.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Fixed in stable kernel versions via commits: 0919982a1744, 4d10bd7416e8, 6bdd45d795ad, 8eb64dc5a790, bb9ccb6121ec
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0919982a1744346269320615615c7deb14106661
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to a version containing the fix commits. 2. Check with your distribution for specific kernel updates. 3. Reboot system after kernel update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable lpddr2_nvm driver
linuxPrevent loading of the vulnerable driver module
echo 'blacklist lpddr2_nvm' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf
rmmod lpddr2_nvm
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Ensure the lpddr2_nvm driver is not loaded on production systems
- Implement strict access controls to prevent local users from triggering vulnerable code paths
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if lpddr2_nvm driver is loaded: lsmod | grep lpddr2_nvm. Check kernel version against patched versions.Check Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel version includes fix commits or check with distribution security updates. Confirm lpddr2_nvm driver functions normally after patch.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel panic messages
- System crash/reboot logs
- NULL pointer dereference errors in kernel logs
Network Indicators:
- Sudden service unavailability
- System becoming unresponsive
SIEM Query:
source="kernel" AND ("NULL pointer dereference" OR "kernel panic" OR "Oops") AND module="lpddr2_nvm"🔗 References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0919982a1744346269320615615c7deb14106661
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/4d10bd7416e8383340b5524b8d616b8ad01ef1e1
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/6bdd45d795adf9e73b38ced5e7f750cd199499ff
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/8eb64dc5a790a529ef49ec94b3337af09dac15d3
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/bb9ccb6121ec4140d366147aa866ceb5a21a8d3d
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/c4cc41e94d8357f5f02b8ef40257bb23931d8438
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e0d3e46ac6669cdf1b99bc7b7d92f1221b9a1ff2
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e6aafb57d90ff2c1e18554f3a3c36247a59825ce
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/f82f63b3911f1b2da68a14d9c4babf3b55feca55
