CVE-2022-48754·Kernel vulnerability
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: phylib: fix potential use-after-free Commit bafbdd527d56 ("phylib: Add device reset GPIO support") added call to phy_device_reset(phydev) after the put_device() call in phy_detach(). The comment before the put_device() call says that the phydev might go away with put_device(). Fix potential use-after-free by calling phy_device_reset() before put_device().
- Severity
- high
- Software
- Kernel
- Fixed in
- 5.16.5
- Published
- 2024-06-20
Affected versions
From: 5.16
Until: 5.16.5
Fixed in: 5.16.5
How to fix this CVE
CVE-2022-48754 is a use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's phylib (PHY library) subsystem that can lead to memory corruption and potential privilege escalation. Immediately update to kernel version 5.16.5 or later to resolve the issue. Systems running kernel versions 5.16 through 5.16.4 should prioritize this update as the vulnerability affects device reset GPIO handling during PHY device detachment.
sudo dnf update kernel kernel-develDefensia detects this vulnerability
How to check if you are affected
- Step 1: Check your current kernel version with `uname -r` and compare against affected range 5.16.0 through 5.16.4
- Step 2: Verify phylib driver is loaded using `lsmod | grep phylib` to confirm the vulnerable component is active on your system
- Step 3: Search kernel logs for PHY device detachment errors or memory corruption warnings using `dmesg | grep -i 'phy\|memory\|use-after-free'`
- Step 4: After applying the patch, confirm the new kernel version with `uname -r` and verify it matches 5.16.5 or newer
FAQ
What is CVE-2022-48754?
CVE-2022-48754 is a use-after-free memory corruption flaw in the Linux kernel's phylib subsystem where the phy_device_reset() function was incorrectly called after put_device(), allowing the device object to be freed while still being accessed.
Is CVE-2022-48754 being actively exploited?
No, CVE-2022-48754 is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog and no public exploits are currently available. However, the high CVSS 8.4 score indicates the vulnerability poses significant risk if exploited.
What versions of Kernel are affected by CVE-2022-48754?
Linux kernel versions 5.16 through 5.16.4 are vulnerable. The fix is included in kernel 5.16.5 and all subsequent releases.
How do I check if my server is vulnerable to CVE-2022-48754?
Run `uname -r` and confirm your kernel version is between 5.16.0 and 5.16.4. If your version falls within this range and phylib is loaded (`lsmod | grep phylib`), your system is vulnerable.
Does Defensia detect CVE-2022-48754?
Yes — Defensia's CVE advisory scanner compares installed package versions against the NVD database. If Kernel is installed on a monitored server, CVE-2022-48754 will appear in your dashboard with remediation steps.
Related Kernel CVEs
References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/67d271760b037ce0806d687ee6057edc8afd4205
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/aefaccd19379d6c4620269a162bfb88ff687f289
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/bd024e36f68174b1793906c39ca16cee0c9295c2
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/cb2fab10fc5e7a3aa1bb0a68a3abdcf3e37852af
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/cbda1b16687580d5beee38273f6241ae3725960c
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