CVE-2022-48739·Kernel vulnerability
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ASoC: hdmi-codec: Fix OOB memory accesses Correct size of iec_status array by changing it to the size of status array of the struct snd_aes_iec958. This fixes out-of-bounds slab read accesses made by memcpy() of the hdmi-codec driver. This problem is reported by KASAN.
- 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 5% 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-2022-48739 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 a memory access vulnerability in the ASoC HDMI codec driver. The vulnerability allows unauthorized memory reads beyond buffer boundaries during audio codec operations. Apply the latest kernel patches through your distribution's package manager and reboot to complete the remediation.
sudo dnf update kernel kernel-develDefensia detects this vulnerability
How to check if you are affected
- Check your kernel version with: uname -r — compare the output against version 5.16.8; if lower, you are vulnerable
- Verify if ASoC/HDMI codec drivers are loaded: lsmod | grep -E 'hdmi|asoc' — if output appears, the vulnerable component is present
- Search kernel logs for KASAN warnings: dmesg | grep -i 'kasan\|slab-out-of-bounds' — look for errors related to iec_status array access
- Confirm the patch was applied: grep -i 'hdmi-codec' /boot/config-$(uname -r) — verify CONFIG_SND_SOC_HDMI_CODEC is set to y or m
FAQ
What is CVE-2022-48739?
CVE-2022-48739 is an out-of-bounds memory read vulnerability in the Linux kernel's ASoC HDMI codec driver, where the iec_status array is incorrectly sized, allowing memcpy() operations to read beyond allocated buffer boundaries. This can lead to information disclosure and potential denial of service.
Is CVE-2022-48739 being actively exploited?
No, CVE-2022-48739 is not listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog, and no public exploits are currently available. However, it should still be patched promptly due to its high severity rating.
What versions of Kernel are affected by CVE-2022-48739?
Linux kernel versions 5.16 through 5.16.7 are affected. The vulnerability was fixed in version 5.16.8 and later stable releases.
How do I check if my server is vulnerable to CVE-2022-48739?
Run 'uname -r' to display your kernel version. If the output is 5.16.7 or earlier, your system is vulnerable. Cross-reference the full version string against the 5.16.x release timeline.
Does Defensia detect CVE-2022-48739?
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-2022-48739 will appear in your dashboard with remediation steps.
Related Kernel CVEs
References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/06feec6005c9d9500cd286ec440aabf8b2ddd94d
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/10007bd96b6c4c3cfaea9e76c311b06a07a5e260
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/1552e66be325a21d7eff49f46013fb402165a0ac
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/06feec6005c9d9500cd286ec440aabf8b2ddd94d
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/10007bd96b6c4c3cfaea9e76c311b06a07a5e260
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