CVE-2022-49426·Kernel vulnerability
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: iommu/arm-smmu-v3-sva: Fix mm use-after-free We currently call arm64_mm_context_put() without holding a reference to the mm, which can result in use-after-free. Call mmgrab()/mmdrop() to ensure the mm only gets freed after we unpinned the ASID.
- Severity
- high
- Software
- Kernel
- Fixed in
- 5.18.3
- 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 11% 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-2022-49426 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: 5.18
Until: 5.18.3
Fixed in: 5.18.3
How to fix this CVE
Update your Linux kernel to version 5.18.3 or later to resolve a use-after-free vulnerability in the ARM SMMU v3 SVA (Shared Virtual Addressing) subsystem. This vulnerability could allow local attackers with kernel-level privileges to cause memory corruption through improper reference counting of memory management structures. Ensure your system is fully patched and rebooted to apply the kernel update.
sudo dnf update kernel kernel-headers kernel-develDefensia detects this vulnerability
How to check if you are affected
- Run `uname -r` to check your current kernel version; vulnerable versions are 5.18.0 through 5.18.2
- Verify ARM SMMU v3 is enabled by checking `cat /boot/config-$(uname -r) | grep ARM_SMMU` for CONFIG_ARM_SMMU_V3=y
- Check kernel logs for memory corruption or NULL pointer dereference errors related to arm64_mm_context with `dmesg | grep -i 'smmu\|context\|asid'`
- Confirm patch application by running `uname -r` and verifying the kernel version is 5.18.3 or later, then reboot if needed
FAQ
What is CVE-2022-49426?
CVE-2022-49426 is a use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's ARM SMMU v3 Shared Virtual Addressing (SVA) implementation that fails to properly manage reference counts on memory management structures, potentially allowing local privilege escalation or kernel memory corruption.
Is CVE-2022-49426 being actively exploited?
No, CVE-2022-49426 is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, and no public exploits are currently available.
What versions of Kernel are affected by CVE-2022-49426?
Linux kernel versions 5.18.0 through 5.18.2 are affected; version 5.18.3 and later contain the fix.
How do I check if my server is vulnerable to CVE-2022-49426?
Run `uname -r` and check if the output matches 5.18.[0-2]; if it does, your kernel is vulnerable. Additionally, verify ARM SMMU v3 support is enabled with `cat /boot/config-$(uname -r) | grep CONFIG_ARM_SMMU_V3`.
Does Defensia detect CVE-2022-49426?
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-2022-49426 will appear in your dashboard with remediation steps.
Related Kernel CVEs
References
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