CVE-2022-49492

Medium

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: nvme-pci: fix a NULL pointer dereference in nvme_alloc_admin_tags In nvme_alloc_admin_tags, the admin_q can be set to an error (typically -ENOMEM) if the blk_mq_init_queue call fails to set up the queue, which is checked immediately after the call. However, when we return the error message up the stack, to nvme_reset_work the error takes us to nvme_remove_dead_ctrl() nvme_dev_disable() nvme_suspend_queue(&dev->queues[0]). Here, we only check that the admin_q is non-NULL, rather than not an error or NULL, and begin quiescing a queue that never existed, leading to bad / NULL pointer dereference.

Package Linux Kernel
Published 2025-02-26
Last modified 2025-10-01
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-2022-49492 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 3.19 and later are affected. Fixed in 4.9.318, 4.14.283, 4.19.247, 5.4.198, 5.10.121, 5.15.46, 5.17.14, 5.18.3, 5.19 and their respective stable series.

Affected from
≥ 3.19
Fixed in
✓ 4.9.318 4.9.x ✓ 4.14.283 4.14.x ✓ 4.19.247 4.19.x ✓ 5.4.198 5.4.x ✓ 5.10.121 5.10.x ✓ 5.15.46 5.15.x ✓ 5.17.14 5.17.x ✓ 5.18.3 5.18.x ✓ 5.19

References

The following references provide additional information about CVE-2022-49492 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-2022-49492?

    CVE-2022-49492 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 3.19 onward and has been patched in 4.9.318, 4.14.283, 4.19.247 and others. CVE-2022-49492 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

  • What is the CVSS score for CVE-2022-49492?

    CVE-2022-49492 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-2022-49492?

    Yes — CVE-2022-49492 has been patched. Fixed versions include 4.9.318, 4.14.283, 4.19.247 and others. If you are running Linux kernel 3.19 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.

  • Is CVE-2022-49492 actively exploited?

    No — CVE-2022-49492 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 →