CVE-2022-49073·Kernel vulnerability
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ata: sata_dwc_460ex: Fix crash due to OOB write the driver uses libata's "tag" values from in various arrays. Since the mentioned patch bumped the ATA_TAG_INTERNAL to 32, the value of the SATA_DWC_QCMD_MAX needs to account for that. Otherwise ATA_TAG_INTERNAL usage cause similar crashes like this as reported by Tice Rex on the OpenWrt Forum and reproduced (with symbols) here: | BUG: Kernel NULL pointer dereference at 0x00000000 | Faulting instruction address: 0xc03ed4b8 | Oops: Kernel access of bad area, sig: 11 [#1] | BE PAGE_SIZE=4K PowerPC 44x Platform | CPU: 0 PID: 362 Comm: scsi_eh_1 Not tainted 5.4.163 #0 | NIP: c03ed4b8 LR: c03d27e8 CTR: c03ed36c | REGS: cfa59950 TRAP: 0300 Not tainted (5.4.163) | MSR: 00021000 <CE,ME> CR: 42000222 XER: 00000000 | DEAR: 00000000 ESR: 00000000 | GPR00: c03d27e8 cfa59a08 cfa55fe0 00000000 0fa46bc0 [...] | [..] | NIP [c03ed4b8] sata_dwc_qc_issue+0x14c/0x254 | LR [c03d27e8] ata_qc_issue+0x1c8/0x2dc | Call Trace: | [cfa59a08] [c003f4e0] __cancel_work_timer+0x124/0x194 (unreliable) | [cfa59a78] [c03d27e8] ata_qc_issue+0x1c8/0x2dc | [cfa59a98] [c03d2b3c] ata_exec_internal_sg+0x240/0x524 | [cfa59b08] [c03d2e98] ata_exec_internal+0x78/0xe0 | [cfa59b58] [c03d30fc] ata_read_log_page.part.38+0x1dc/0x204 | [cfa59bc8] [c03d324c] ata_identify_page_supported+0x68/0x130 | [...] This is because sata_dwc_dma_xfer_complete() NULLs the dma_pending's next neighbour "chan" (a *dma_chan struct) in this '32' case right here (line ~735): > hsdevp->dma_pending[tag] = SATA_DWC_DMA_PENDING_NONE; Then the next time, a dma gets issued; dma_dwc_xfer_setup() passes the NULL'd hsdevp->chan to the dmaengine_slave_config() which then causes the crash. With this patch, SATA_DWC_QCMD_MAX is now set to ATA_MAX_QUEUE + 1. This avoids the OOB. But please note, there was a worthwhile discussion on what ATA_TAG_INTERNAL and ATA_MAX_QUEUE is. And why there should not be a "fake" 33 command-long queue size. Ideally, the dw driver should account for the ATA_TAG_INTERNAL. In Damien Le Moal's words: "... having looked at the driver, it is a bigger change than just faking a 33rd "tag" that is in fact not a command tag at all." BugLink: https://github.com/openwrt/openwrt/issues/9505
- Severity
- high
- Software
- Kernel
- Fixed in
- 5.17.3
- Published
- 2025-02-26
Affected versions
From: 5.17
Until: 5.17.3
Fixed in: 5.17.3
How to fix this CVE
Systems running Linux kernel versions 5.17 through 5.17.2 must be updated to version 5.17.3 or later to patch an out-of-bounds write vulnerability in the sata_dwc_460ex driver. This flaw can cause kernel crashes when the SATA driver's queue size exceeds allocated memory boundaries due to tag value misalignment. Apply kernel updates immediately, especially on systems using PowerPC 44x platforms or embedded SATA controllers.
sudo dnf update kernel kernel-develDefensia detects this vulnerability
How to check if you are affected
- Check installed kernel version: uname -r | grep -E '^5\.17\.[0-2]' (vulnerable versions return match)
- Verify SATA DWC driver is loaded: lsmod | grep sata_dwc_460ex (if output appears, driver is active)
- Search kernel logs for crash signatures: dmesg | grep -i 'null pointer dereference\|sata_dwc_qc_issue' (look for OOB-related panics)
- Confirm fix applied: uname -r | grep -E '^5\.17\.[3-9]|^5\.18|^6\.' (patched kernels should match)
FAQ
What is CVE-2022-49073?
CVE-2022-49073 is an out-of-bounds memory write vulnerability in the Linux kernel's sata_dwc_460ex driver that occurs when ATA command tags exceed the allocated queue buffer, leading to kernel NULL pointer dereferences and system crashes.
Is CVE-2022-49073 being actively exploited?
No, this vulnerability is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog and has no public exploit available. However, it can be triggered locally by systems using affected SATA hardware.
What versions of Kernel are affected by CVE-2022-49073?
Linux kernel versions 5.17.0 through 5.17.2 are vulnerable. The fix is included in kernel 5.17.3 and all subsequent stable releases.
How do I check if my server is vulnerable to CVE-2022-49073?
Run 'uname -r' and check if output matches pattern 5.17.[0-2]; then verify sata_dwc_460ex driver presence with 'lsmod | grep sata_dwc'. If both match, your system is vulnerable.
Does Defensia detect CVE-2022-49073?
Yes — Defensia's CVE advisory scanner compares installed package versions against the NVD database. If Linux kernel is installed on a monitored server, CVE-2022-49073 will appear in your dashboard with remediation steps.
Related Kernel CVEs
References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/234c0132f76f0676d175757f61b0025191a3d935
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/3a8751c0d4e24129e72dcec0139e99833b13904a
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/55e1465ba79562a191708a40eeae3f8082a209e3
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/596c7efd69aae94f4b0e91172b075eb197958b99
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/7aa8104a554713b685db729e66511b93d989dd6a
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