CVE-2022-49781

Medium

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: perf/x86/amd: Fix crash due to race between amd_pmu_enable_all, perf NMI and throttling amd_pmu_enable_all() does: if (!test_bit(idx, cpuc->active_mask)) continue; amd_pmu_enable_event(cpuc->events[idx]); A perf NMI of another event can come between these two steps. Perf NMI handler internally disables and enables _all_ events, including the one which nmi-intercepted amd_pmu_enable_all() was in process of enabling. If that unintentionally enabled event has very low sampling period and causes immediate successive NMI, causing the event to be throttled, cpuc->events[idx] and cpuc->active_mask gets cleared by x86_pmu_stop(). This will result in amd_pmu_enable_event() getting called with event=NULL when amd_pmu_enable_all() resumes after handling the NMIs. This causes a kernel crash: BUG: kernel NULL pointer dereference, address: 0000000000000198 #PF: supervisor read access in kernel mode #PF: error_code(0x0000) - not-present page [...] Call Trace: <TASK> amd_pmu_enable_all+0x68/0xb0 ctx_resched+0xd9/0x150 event_function+0xb8/0x130 ? hrtimer_start_range_ns+0x141/0x4a0 ? perf_duration_warn+0x30/0x30 remote_function+0x4d/0x60 __flush_smp_call_function_queue+0xc4/0x500 flush_smp_call_function_queue+0x11d/0x1b0 do_idle+0x18f/0x2d0 cpu_startup_entry+0x19/0x20 start_secondary+0x121/0x160 secondary_startup_64_no_verify+0xe5/0xeb </TASK> amd_pmu_disable_all()/amd_pmu_enable_all() calls inside perf NMI handler were recently added as part of BRS enablement but I'm not sure whether we really need them. We can just disable BRS in the beginning and enable it back while returning from NMI. This will solve the issue by not enabling those events whose active_masks are set but are not yet enabled in hw pmu.

Package Linux Kernel
Published 2025-05-01
Last modified 2025-11-07
CVSS version 3.1
Patch available
Yes

CVSS 3.1 score

4.7

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

Weakness type

CWE-362

CVE-2022-49781 is a Race Condition vulnerability

What is Race Condition?

The product contains a code sequence that can run concurrently with other code, creating unexpected states. Learn more on MITRE CWE

Affected versions

Linux kernel versions 5.19 and later are affected. Fixed in 6.0.10, 6.1 and their respective stable series.

Affected from
≥ 5.19
Fixed in
✓ 6.0.10 6.0.x ✓ 6.1

References

The following references provide additional information about CVE-2022-49781 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-2022-49781?

    CVE-2022-49781 is a Medium severity Linux kernel vulnerability with a CVSS score of 4.7 out of 10 , classified as a Race Condition flaw (CWE-362) . It affects Linux kernel versions from 5.19 onward and has been patched in 6.0.10 and 6.1. CVE-2022-49781 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

  • What is the CVSS score for CVE-2022-49781?

    CVE-2022-49781 has a CVSS score of 4.7 out of 10, rated Medium severity (CVSS 3.1). The vector string is CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H .

  • Is there a patch available for CVE-2022-49781?

    Yes — CVE-2022-49781 has been patched. Fixed versions include 6.0.10 and 6.1. If you are running Linux kernel 5.19 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.

  • Is CVE-2022-49781 actively exploited?

    No — CVE-2022-49781 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.

  • What is Race Condition (CWE-362)?

    The product contains a code sequence that can run concurrently with other code, creating unexpected states. View CWE-362 on MITRE CWE →