CVE-2022-3545 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 10/17/2022
A vulnerability has been found in Linux Kernel and classified as critical. Affected by this vulnerability is the function area_cache_get of the file drivers/net/ethernet/netronome/nfp/nfpcore/nfp_cppcore.c of the component IPsec. The manipulation leads to use after free. It is recommended to apply a patch to fix this issue. The identifier VDB-211045 was assigned to this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/17/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-3545 represents a critical use-after-free condition within the Linux kernel's network driver subsystem, specifically affecting the Netronome NFP (Netronome Flow Processor) family of network interface controllers. This flaw exists in the ipsec component of the nfp_cppcore.c file, which handles the core communication protocols between the host system and the network processor. The issue stems from improper memory management within the area_cache_get function, where allocated memory structures are freed but subsequently accessed, creating a dangerous state that can be exploited by malicious actors. Such vulnerabilities are particularly concerning in kernel space environments where improper memory handling can lead to privilege escalation and system compromise.
The technical exploitation of this use-after-free vulnerability occurs when the area_cache_get function processes memory allocation requests for IPsec-related operations within the Netronome network processor. When the function frees memory structures that are still referenced elsewhere in the code path, an attacker can manipulate the system to cause the freed memory to be reallocated for malicious purposes. This creates a scenario where arbitrary code execution becomes possible, as the attacker can control the data that gets loaded into the previously freed memory locations. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-416 as a use-after-free condition, which is a well-documented class of memory safety issues that frequently leads to privilege escalation and system instability. The attack surface is particularly significant given that this affects network drivers that handle encrypted traffic, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise secure communications.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-3545 extends beyond simple system instability to encompass potential full system compromise and data breaches. Network administrators face critical risks when systems running affected kernel versions are exposed to untrusted network traffic, as the vulnerability can be exploited to gain elevated privileges and execute arbitrary code with kernel-level access. This is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where IPsec is commonly used for secure communications and network segmentation. The vulnerability affects systems using Netronome NFP network processors, which are deployed in high-performance networking applications, data center environments, and cloud infrastructure where maintaining secure and stable network operations is paramount. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell) and T1547.001 (Registry Run Keys/Startup Folder) through potential privilege escalation vectors, though the primary attack vector remains kernel exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-3545 require immediate patch application from kernel vendors and system administrators, as no reliable workarounds exist for this type of memory safety vulnerability. The recommended approach involves upgrading to kernel versions that contain the appropriate fixes, typically those released after the vulnerability disclosure. Organizations should prioritize patching systems running affected Netronome NFP network drivers, particularly in environments where network security is critical. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of affected systems to untrusted networks. Monitoring for unusual network behavior and system performance degradation can help detect exploitation attempts, though detection may be challenging due to the nature of use-after-free vulnerabilities. System hardening measures such as kernel address space layout randomization and stack canaries should be enabled to complicate exploitation attempts, though these are not complete defenses against well-crafted attacks. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date kernel security patches and implementing comprehensive vulnerability management programs to protect against such critical memory safety issues.