CVE-2022-48914
MediumIn the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: xen/netfront: destroy queues before real_num_tx_queues is zeroed xennet_destroy_queues() relies on info->netdev->real_num_tx_queues to delete queues. Since d7dac083414eb5bb99a6d2ed53dc2c1b405224e5 ("net-sysfs: update the queue counts in the unregistration path"), unregister_netdev() indirectly sets real_num_tx_queues to 0. Those two facts together means, that xennet_destroy_queues() called from xennet_remove() cannot do its job, because it's called after unregister_netdev(). This results in kfree-ing queues that are still linked in napi, which ultimately crashes: BUG: kernel NULL pointer dereference, address: 0000000000000000 #PF: supervisor read access in kernel mode #PF: error_code(0x0000) - not-present page PGD 0 P4D 0 Oops: 0000 [#1] PREEMPT SMP PTI CPU: 1 PID: 52 Comm: xenwatch Tainted: G W 5.16.10-1.32.fc32.qubes.x86_64+ #226 RIP: 0010:free_netdev+0xa3/0x1a0 Code: ff 48 89 df e8 2e e9 00 00 48 8b 43 50 48 8b 08 48 8d b8 a0 fe ff ff 48 8d a9 a0 fe ff ff 49 39 c4 75 26 eb 47 e8 ed c1 66 ff <48> 8b 85 60 01 00 00 48 8d 95 60 01 00 00 48 89 ef 48 2d 60 01 00 RSP: 0000:ffffc90000bcfd00 EFLAGS: 00010286 RAX: 0000000000000000 RBX: ffff88800edad000 RCX: 0000000000000000 RDX: 0000000000000001 RSI: ffffc90000bcfc30 RDI: 00000000ffffffff RBP: fffffffffffffea0 R08: 0000000000000000 R09: 0000000000000000 R10: 0000000000000000 R11: 0000000000000001 R12: ffff88800edad050 R13: ffff8880065f8f88 R14: 0000000000000000 R15: ffff8880066c6680 FS: 0000000000000000(0000) GS:ffff8880f3300000(0000) knlGS:0000000000000000 CS: 0010 DS: 0000 ES: 0000 CR0: 0000000080050033 CR2: 0000000000000000 CR3: 00000000e998c006 CR4: 00000000003706e0 Call Trace: <TASK> xennet_remove+0x13d/0x300 [xen_netfront] xenbus_dev_remove+0x6d/0xf0 __device_release_driver+0x17a/0x240 device_release_driver+0x24/0x30 bus_remove_device+0xd8/0x140 device_del+0x18b/0x410 ? _raw_spin_unlock+0x16/0x30 ? klist_iter_exit+0x14/0x20 ? xenbus_dev_request_and_reply+0x80/0x80 device_unregister+0x13/0x60 xenbus_dev_changed+0x18e/0x1f0 xenwatch_thread+0xc0/0x1a0 ? do_wait_intr_irq+0xa0/0xa0 kthread+0x16b/0x190 ? set_kthread_struct+0x40/0x40 ret_from_fork+0x22/0x30 </TASK> Fix this by calling xennet_destroy_queues() from xennet_uninit(), when real_num_tx_queues is still available. This ensures that queues are destroyed when real_num_tx_queues is set to 0, regardless of how unregister_netdev() was called. Originally reported at https://github.com/QubesOS/qubes-issues/issues/7257
CVSS 3.1 score
5.5
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
Weakness type
CWE-476CVE-2022-48914 is a NULL Pointer Dereference vulnerability
What is NULL Pointer Dereference?
The product dereferences a pointer that it expects to be valid but is NULL, typically causing a crash. Learn more on MITRE CWE
Affected versions
Linux kernel versions
4.19.226,
5.4.174,
5.10.94,
5.15.17,
5.16.3
and later are affected. No fixed version recorded yet.
References
The following references provide additional information about CVE-2022-48914 including vendor advisories, patch commits, exploit details, and third-party analysis. Links are sourced from the NIST NVD database.
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PatchKernel patch commithttps://git.kernel.org/stable/c/198cdc287769c717dafff5887c6125cb7a373bf3
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PatchKernel patch commithttps://git.kernel.org/stable/c/47e2f166ed9fe17f24561d6315be2228f6a90209
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PatchKernel patch commithttps://git.kernel.org/stable/c/a1753d5c29a6fb9a8966dcf04cb4f3b71e303ae8
Frequently asked questions
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What is CVE-2022-48914?
CVE-2022-48914 is a Medium severity Linux kernel vulnerability with a CVSS score of 5.5 out of 10 , classified as a NULL Pointer Dereference flaw (CWE-476) . It affects Linux kernel versions from 4.19.226 onward . CVE-2022-48914 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.
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What is the CVSS score for CVE-2022-48914?
CVE-2022-48914 has a CVSS score of 5.5 out of 10, rated Medium severity (CVSS 3.1). The vector string is
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H. -
Is there a patch available for CVE-2022-48914?
No patch is currently available for CVE-2022-48914. Monitor the NIST NVD and your Linux distribution's security advisories for updates.
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Is CVE-2022-48914 actively exploited?
No — CVE-2022-48914 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.
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What is NULL Pointer Dereference (CWE-476)?
The product dereferences a pointer that it expects to be valid but is NULL, typically causing a crash. View CWE-476 on MITRE CWE →