medium CVSS 5.5 EPSS <0.1%

CVE-2022-48708·Kernel vulnerability

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: pinctrl: single: fix potential NULL dereference Added checking of pointer "function" in pcs_set_mux(). pinmux_generic_get_function() can return NULL and the pointer "function" was dereferenced without checking against NULL. Found by Linux Verification Center (linuxtesting.org) with SVACE.

Severity
medium
Software
Kernel
Fixed in
6.1.12
Published

How likely is exploitation

FIRST's Exploit Prediction Scoring System puts the probability of this CVE being exploited in the next 30 days at <0.1% — higher than 3% of all published CVEs. EPSS is an independent forecast of exploitation, not a severity rating: it says nothing about how much damage a successful attack does, which is what a CVSS score measures.

Affected versions

From: 5.16

Until: 6.1.12

Fixed in: 6.1.12

How to fix this CVE

Update your Linux kernel to version 6.1.12 or later to resolve a NULL pointer dereference vulnerability in the pinctrl subsystem's pin multiplexing handler. This flaw could allow local users with appropriate privileges to trigger a kernel crash by attempting to set pin multiplexer configurations. Apply the latest stable kernel updates through your distribution's package manager and reboot to activate the patched kernel.

sudo dnf update kernel kernel-devel && sudo reboot

Defensia detects this vulnerability

How to check if you are affected

  1. Step 1: Check installed kernel version with `uname -r` and compare against affected range (5.16 to 6.1.11)
  2. Step 2: Verify pinctrl driver is loaded with `lsmod | grep pinctrl`
  3. Step 3: Search kernel logs for NULL pointer dereference messages with `journalctl -b | grep -i 'null pointer\|pinctrl\|kernel BUG'` or `dmesg | grep -i 'null pointer\|pinctrl'`
  4. Step 4: After patching, confirm new kernel version with `uname -r` to verify it shows 6.1.12 or later

FAQ

What is CVE-2022-48708?

This vulnerability involves an unchecked NULL pointer dereference in the kernel's pinctrl-single driver when retrieving pin multiplexing function configurations. A local attacker with appropriate privileges could trigger a kernel oops by manipulating pin mux settings, causing a denial-of-service condition.

Is CVE-2022-48708 being actively exploited?

No, this vulnerability is not listed on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog and no public exploits are currently available. However, the low barrier to local exploitation means patching remains important for defense-in-depth.

What versions of Kernel are affected by CVE-2022-48708?

Linux kernel versions 5.16 through 6.1.11 are affected. The fix was applied in kernel 6.1.12 and later stable branches.

How do I check if my server is vulnerable to CVE-2022-48708?

Run `uname -r` to display your kernel version. If the output shows a version between 5.16 and 6.1.11, your system is vulnerable and requires immediate patching.

Does Defensia detect CVE-2022-48708?

Yes — Defensia's CVE advisory scanner compares installed package versions against the NVD database. If the Linux kernel is installed on a monitored server, CVE-2022-48708 will appear in your dashboard with remediation steps.

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References

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