CVE-2022-48837·Kernel vulnerability
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: usb: gadget: rndis: prevent integer overflow in rndis_set_response() If "BufOffset" is very large the "BufOffset + 8" operation can have an integer overflow.
- Severity
- high
- Software
- Kernel
- Fixed in
- 5.16.17
- 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.
Read the two together. CVE-2022-48837 scores 7.8 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: 5.16.10
Until: 5.16.17
Fixed in: 5.16.17
How to fix this CVE
Update your Linux kernel to version 5.16.17 or later to patch an integer overflow vulnerability in the USB RNDIS gadget driver. This flaw could allow a local, low-privileged user to trigger memory corruption by manipulating buffer offset parameters. Systems running kernel versions 5.16.10 through 5.16.16 require immediate patching.
sudo dnf update kernel kernel-core kernel-modulesDefensia detects this vulnerability
How to check if you are affected
- Step 1: Check your installed kernel version with: uname -r. Compare the output against 5.16.10-5.16.16 range.
- Step 2: Verify if USB RNDIS gadget functionality is enabled by checking: grep CONFIG_USB_GADGET_RNDIS /boot/config-$(uname -r). If the output shows 'y' or 'm', the vulnerable component is active.
- Step 3: Monitor kernel logs for memory corruption or segmentation faults related to USB gadget operations: sudo dmesg | grep -i 'rndis\|usb.*gadget\|segfault'
- Step 4: After updating, confirm the fix with uname -r and verify the new version is 5.16.17 or higher, then reboot if necessary.
FAQ
What is CVE-2022-48837?
CVE-2022-48837 is an integer overflow vulnerability in the Linux kernel's USB RNDIS (Remote Network Driver Interface Specification) gadget driver. When processing large buffer offset values, an unchecked arithmetic operation can overflow, potentially leading to kernel memory corruption and privilege escalation from a local account.
Is CVE-2022-48837 being actively exploited?
No, CVE-2022-48837 is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog and has no known active exploitation in the wild. However, the high CVSS score (7.8) and memory corruption impact warrant prompt patching.
What versions of Kernel are affected by CVE-2022-48837?
Linux kernel versions 5.16.10 through 5.16.16 are vulnerable. The fix was released in kernel 5.16.17.
How do I check if my server is vulnerable to CVE-2022-48837?
Run 'uname -r' and check if your kernel version falls between 5.16.10 and 5.16.16. If it does, your system is vulnerable. Additionally, verify USB RNDIS gadget is loaded with 'lsmod | grep rndis' to confirm exposure.
Does Defensia detect CVE-2022-48837?
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-2022-48837 will appear in your dashboard with remediation steps.
Related Kernel CVEs
References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/138d4f739b35dfb40438a0d5d7054965763bfbe7
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/21829376268397f9fd2c35cfa9135937b6aa3a1e
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/28bc0267399f42f987916a7174e2e32f0833cc65
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/56b38e3ca4064041d93c1ca18828c8cedad2e16c
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/65f3324f4b6fed78b8761c3b74615ecf0ffa81fa
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