CVE-2022-49278·Kernel vulnerability
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: remoteproc: Fix count check in rproc_coredump_write() Check count for 0, to avoid a potential underflow. Make the check the same as the one in rproc_recovery_write().
- Severity
- high
- Software
- Kernel
- Fixed in
- 5.17.2
- 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-2022-49278 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: 5.17
Until: 5.17.2
Fixed in: 5.17.2
How to fix this CVE
Update your Linux kernel to version 5.17.2 or later to patch a buffer underflow vulnerability in the remoteproc subsystem's coredump handler. This flaw could allow a local privileged user to cause a denial of service or potentially corrupt kernel memory. Apply the kernel update through your distribution's package manager and reboot to activate the patched version.
sudo dnf update kernelDefensia detects this vulnerability
How to check if you are affected
- Step 1: Check your current kernel version with `uname -r` and verify it is 5.17.2 or later
- Step 2: Confirm remoteproc module is loaded by running `lsmod | grep remoteproc` — if output is empty, this component is not exposed
- Step 3: Search kernel logs for remoteproc errors with `sudo dmesg | grep remoteproc` or `sudo journalctl -u kernel | grep remoteproc` to identify any coredump write failures
- Step 4: After patching, verify the fix with `uname -r` again and restart monitoring for any remoteproc-related kernel panics or memory corruption warnings
FAQ
What is CVE-2022-49278?
CVE-2022-49278 is a buffer underflow vulnerability in the Linux kernel's remoteproc subsystem, specifically in the rproc_coredump_write() function which fails to validate input count values before processing them. This can lead to memory corruption or denial of service when a local privileged user interacts with the affected interface.
Is CVE-2022-49278 being actively exploited?
No, there is no evidence of active exploitation in the wild and no public exploits are available. However, the vulnerability remains relevant for systems running affected kernel versions.
What versions of Kernel are affected by CVE-2022-49278?
Linux kernel versions 5.17 through 5.17.1 are vulnerable. The fix was released in kernel 5.17.2 and backported to stable branches.
How do I check if my server is vulnerable to CVE-2022-49278?
Run `uname -r` to display your kernel version. If the output shows 5.17.0 or 5.17.1, your system is vulnerable. Also verify remoteproc is compiled in with `grep CONFIG_REMOTEPROC /boot/config-$(uname -r)` — if it shows 'y' or 'm', the vulnerable code is present.
Does Defensia detect CVE-2022-49278?
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-2022-49278 will appear in your dashboard with remediation steps.
Related Kernel CVEs
References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/11572dad9fbadbd9269a2550f7e236b5b8c2d80c
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/34afac3c75fa08d6fabbab4c93f0a90618afaaa6
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/a8c3e53517985d69040a1b36a269e85f99cf0cea
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/b97b305656a7013690e7b6e310f0e827e0bbff90
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/f89672cc3681952f2d06314981a6b45f8b0045d1
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