CVE-2022-48714·Kernel vulnerability
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: bpf: Use VM_MAP instead of VM_ALLOC for ringbuf After commit 2fd3fb0be1d1 ("kasan, vmalloc: unpoison VM_ALLOC pages after mapping"), non-VM_ALLOC mappings will be marked as accessible in __get_vm_area_node() when KASAN is enabled. But now the flag for ringbuf area is VM_ALLOC, so KASAN will complain out-of-bound access after vmap() returns. Because the ringbuf area is created by mapping allocated pages, so use VM_MAP instead. After the change, info in /proc/vmallocinfo also changes from [start]-[end] 24576 ringbuf_map_alloc+0x171/0x290 vmalloc user to [start]-[end] 24576 ringbuf_map_alloc+0x171/0x290 vmap user
- Severity
- high
- Software
- Kernel
- Fixed in
- 5.16.8
- 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 10% 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.
Read the two together. CVE-2022-48714 scores 7.1 on CVSS, so a successful attack would be serious — but at <0.1%, almost nobody is currently attempting it. That is a different situation from a flaw under mass exploitation, and it is usually the difference between patching on your next maintenance window and patching tonight.
Affected versions
From: 5.16
Until: 5.16.8
Fixed in: 5.16.8
How to fix this CVE
Update your Linux kernel to version 5.16.8 or later to resolve this BPF ring buffer memory mapping vulnerability. The fix changes the VM allocation flag from VM_ALLOC to VM_MAP, preventing KASAN from incorrectly reporting out-of-bounds access violations during ringbuf operations. Systems running kernel versions 5.16 through 5.16.7 should prioritize this patch to avoid potential denial-of-service conditions caused by memory sanitizer false positives.
sudo dnf check-update kernel && sudo dnf update kernelDefensia detects this vulnerability
How to check if you are affected
- Step 1: Check installed kernel version with `uname -r` and compare against fixed version 5.16.8
- Step 2: Verify BPF ring buffer subsystem availability with `grep -i ringbuf /boot/config-$(uname -r)` to check if CONFIG_BPF_SYSCALL and related options are enabled
- Step 3: Review kernel logs for KASAN-related memory access warnings with `dmesg | grep -i kasan` or `journalctl -k | grep -i kasan` to identify false-positive out-of-bounds reports
- Step 4: After applying the patch, confirm the new kernel version is active with `uname -r` and verify ringbuf vmalloc info format changed in `/proc/vmallocinfo` from 'vmalloc' to 'vmap'
FAQ
What is CVE-2022-48714?
This vulnerability is a kernel subsystem issue where the BPF ring buffer memory mapping uses an incorrect VM allocation flag, causing the KASAN memory sanitizer to generate false-positive out-of-bounds access warnings. This can lead to system instability or denial-of-service when KASAN is enabled.
Is CVE-2022-48714 being actively exploited?
No, this vulnerability is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog and no public exploits are available. However, systems with KASAN enabled may experience denial-of-service conditions due to incorrect sanitizer warnings.
What versions of Kernel are affected by CVE-2022-48714?
Linux kernel versions 5.16 through 5.16.7 are vulnerable. The fix is included in kernel 5.16.8 and later releases.
How do I check if my server is vulnerable to CVE-2022-48714?
Run `uname -r` to check your kernel version. If the output shows a version between 5.16 and 5.16.7 (inclusive), your system is vulnerable. Additionally, check if KASAN is enabled with `grep CONFIG_KASAN /boot/config-$(uname -r)` — vulnerability impact is only visible if KASAN is active.
Does Defensia detect CVE-2022-48714?
Yes — Defensia's CVE advisory scanner compares installed kernel package versions against the NVD database. If the Linux kernel is installed on a monitored server, CVE-2022-48714 will appear in your dashboard with remediation steps and affected version ranges.
Related Kernel CVEs
References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/5e457aeab52a5947619e1f18047f4d2f3212b3eb
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/6304a613a97d6dcd49b93fbad31e9f39d1e138d6
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/b293dcc473d22a62dc6d78de2b15e4f49515db56
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/d578933f6226d5419af9306746efa1c693cbaf9c
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/5e457aeab52a5947619e1f18047f4d2f3212b3eb
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