CVE-2022-3061 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 09/01/2022
Found Linux Kernel flaw in the i740 driver. The Userspace program could pass any values to the driver through ioctl() interface. The driver doesn't check the value of 'pixclock', so it may cause a divide by zero error.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/09/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-3061 resides within the Linux kernel's i740 graphics driver, representing a critical security flaw that stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms. This driver is responsible for managing Intel 740 graphics hardware and provides an interface for user-space applications to communicate with the graphics subsystem through the ioctl() system call mechanism. The core issue manifests when user-space programs can pass arbitrary values to the driver through this interface, specifically targeting the 'pixclock' parameter that controls pixel clock settings for display operations. The absence of proper validation for this parameter creates a dangerous condition where malicious or malformed inputs can trigger unexpected behavior within the kernel space.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a divide by zero error condition that arises when the driver processes invalid 'pixclock' values. This type of error represents a fundamental flaw in the driver's arithmetic operations where the divisor becomes zero, causing an immediate system crash or potential privilege escalation. The flaw directly maps to CWE-369, which describes the weakness of divide-by-zero conditions in software implementations, and can be classified under the broader category of kernel-level arithmetic errors that can lead to system instability or security breaches. The lack of input sanitization creates a pathway for attackers to manipulate the driver's internal state through crafted ioctl() calls, potentially leading to denial of service conditions or more severe consequences depending on the system's configuration and execution context.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system crashes, as it represents a potential entry point for privilege escalation attacks within kernel space. When a divide by zero error occurs in kernel mode, it can cause immediate system termination or trigger more subtle memory corruption issues that may allow attackers to gain elevated privileges. The i740 driver's interface is particularly concerning because it operates at the kernel level where user-space programs can directly interact with hardware control mechanisms, creating a high-risk attack surface. System administrators and security professionals must consider that this vulnerability affects systems running affected kernel versions with the i740 driver enabled, potentially impacting embedded systems, servers, or desktop environments that utilize Intel 740 graphics hardware. The attack vector is straightforward - any application with access to the ioctl interface can trigger the condition, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments or when applications are running with elevated privileges.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-3061 should focus on immediate kernel updates that address the input validation gap in the i740 driver, ensuring that all 'pixclock' values are properly validated before processing. The recommended approach includes implementing proper bounds checking for the pixclock parameter, adding explicit zero-value validation, and potentially disabling the problematic driver interface if not essential for system functionality. Security measures should also include monitoring for unusual ioctl() calls targeting graphics drivers and implementing kernel hardening techniques such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and kernel module signing requirements. Organizations should prioritize patch management processes to ensure timely deployment of kernel updates that contain fixes for this vulnerability, while also considering the broader context of driver security and the need for comprehensive input validation across all kernel interfaces. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting kernel-mode exploits that leverage arithmetic errors and input validation failures to gain elevated system access.