high CVSS 7.8

CVE-2022-49291·Kernel vulnerability

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ALSA: pcm: Fix races among concurrent hw_params and hw_free calls Currently we have neither proper check nor protection against the concurrent calls of PCM hw_params and hw_free ioctls, which may result in a UAF. Since the existing PCM stream lock can't be used for protecting the whole ioctl operations, we need a new mutex to protect those racy calls. This patch introduced a new mutex, runtime->buffer_mutex, and applies it to both hw_params and hw_free ioctl code paths. Along with it, the both functions are slightly modified (the mmap_count check is moved into the state-check block) for code simplicity.

Severity
high
Software
Kernel
Fixed in
5.17.1
Published
2025-02-26

Affected versions

From: 5.17

Until: 5.17.1

Fixed in: 5.17.1

How to fix this CVE

Update your Linux kernel to version 5.17.1 or later to patch the race condition in PCM audio subsystem calls. This vulnerability allows unprivileged local users to trigger use-after-free conditions by concurrently invoking hw_params and hw_free ioctls, potentially leading to kernel memory corruption. Ensure all systems running kernel versions 5.17 through 5.17.0 are patched immediately.

sudo dnf update kernel

Defensia detects this vulnerability

How to check if you are affected

  1. Step 1: Check kernel version with 'uname -r' and verify if it falls in the 5.17–5.17.0 range
  2. Step 2: Confirm ALSA PCM audio subsystem is active by checking 'cat /proc/asound/cards' for audio devices
  3. Step 3: Search kernel logs with 'sudo dmesg | grep -i "use.after.free\|pcm\|alsa"' for crash signatures
  4. Step 4: Verify the fix by checking if kernel version is 5.17.1 or higher after reboot: 'uname -r'

FAQ

What is CVE-2022-49291?

CVE-2022-49291 is a race condition in the Linux kernel's ALSA PCM audio subsystem that occurs when hw_params and hw_free ioctls are called concurrently without proper synchronization, leading to use-after-free memory corruption exploitable by local users.

Is CVE-2022-49291 being actively exploited?

No, this vulnerability is not listed in CISA's KEV catalog and no public exploit has been documented, though the high CVSS score (7.8) indicates significant local privilege escalation risk.

What versions of Kernel are affected by CVE-2022-49291?

Linux kernel versions 5.17 through 5.17.0 are vulnerable; kernel 5.17.1 and later versions include the fix.

How do I check if my server is vulnerable to CVE-2022-49291?

Run 'uname -r' and confirm your kernel version is between 5.17 and 5.17.0 (inclusive); if so, your system is vulnerable and requires immediate patching.

Does Defensia detect CVE-2022-49291?

Yes — Defensia's CVE advisory scanner compares installed package versions against the NVD database. If Kernel is installed on a monitored server, CVE-2022-49291 will appear in your dashboard with remediation steps.

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References

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