CVE-2022-49159

Medium

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: scsi: qla2xxx: Implement ref count for SRB The timeout handler and the done function are racing. When qla2x00_async_iocb_timeout() starts to run it can be preempted by the normal response path (via the firmware?). qla24xx_async_gpsc_sp_done() releases the SRB unconditionally. When scheduling back to qla2x00_async_iocb_timeout() qla24xx_async_abort_cmd() will access an freed sp->qpair pointer: qla2xxx [0000:83:00.0]-2871:0: Async-gpsc timeout - hdl=63d portid=234500 50:06:0e:80:08:77:b6:21. qla2xxx [0000:83:00.0]-2853:0: Async done-gpsc res 0, WWPN 50:06:0e:80:08:77:b6:21 qla2xxx [0000:83:00.0]-2854:0: Async-gpsc OUT WWPN 20:45:00:27:f8:75:33:00 speeds=2c00 speed=0400. qla2xxx [0000:83:00.0]-28d8:0: qla24xx_handle_gpsc_event 50:06:0e:80:08:77:b6:21 DS 7 LS 6 rc 0 login 1|1 rscn 1|0 lid 5 BUG: unable to handle kernel NULL pointer dereference at 0000000000000004 IP: qla24xx_async_abort_cmd+0x1b/0x1c0 [qla2xxx] Obvious solution to this is to introduce a reference counter. One reference is taken for the normal code path (the 'good' case) and one for the timeout path. As we always race between the normal good case and the timeout/abort handler we need to serialize it. Also we cannot assume any order between the handlers. Since this is slow path we can use proper synchronization via locks. When we are able to cancel a timer (del_timer returns 1) we know there can't be any error handling in progress because the timeout handler hasn't expired yet, thus we can safely decrement the refcounter by one. If we are not able to cancel the timer, we know an abort handler is running. We have to make sure we call sp->done() in the abort handlers before calling kref_put().

Package Linux Kernel
Published 2025-02-26
Last modified 2025-09-23
CVSS version 3.1
Patch available
Yes

CVSS 3.1 score

5.5

out of 10
Medium
Attack Vector
Local
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
Low
User Interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
Low
Integrity
None
Availability
High
Vector string
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

Weakness type

CWE-476

CVE-2022-49159 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 5.15 and later are affected. Fixed in 5.15.33, 5.16.19, 5.17.2, 5.18 and their respective stable series.

Affected from
≥ 5.15
Fixed in
✓ 5.15.33 5.15.x ✓ 5.16.19 5.16.x ✓ 5.17.2 5.17.x ✓ 5.18

References

The following references provide additional information about CVE-2022-49159 including vendor advisories, patch commits, exploit details, and third-party analysis. Links are sourced from the NIST NVD database.

Frequently asked questions

  • What is CVE-2022-49159?

    CVE-2022-49159 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 5.15 onward and has been patched in 5.15.33, 5.16.19, 5.17.2 and others. CVE-2022-49159 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

  • What is the CVSS score for CVE-2022-49159?

    CVE-2022-49159 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-2022-49159?

    Yes — CVE-2022-49159 has been patched. Fixed versions include 5.15.33, 5.16.19, 5.17.2 and others. If you are running Linux kernel 5.15 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.

  • Is CVE-2022-49159 actively exploited?

    No — CVE-2022-49159 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.

  • 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 →