CVE-2022-42716 in Mali GPU Kernel Driver
Summary
by MITRE • 12/12/2022
An issue was discovered in the Arm Mali GPU Kernel Driver. There is a use-after-free. A non-privileged user can make improper GPU processing operations to gain access to already freed memory. This affects Midgard r4p0 through r32p0, Bifrost r1p0 through r40p0, and Valhall r19p0 through r40P0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/16/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-42716 represents a critical use-after-free condition within the Arm Mali GPU kernel driver ecosystem, affecting multiple generations of Arm's graphics processing units. This flaw exists in the kernel-space components responsible for managing GPU operations and memory allocation, creating a pathway for privilege escalation attacks. The vulnerability manifests across several GPU architecture versions including Midgard r4p0 through r32p0, Bifrost r1p0 through r40p0, and Valhall r19p0 through r40p0, indicating a widespread impact across Arm's GPU lineage. The issue stems from improper memory management practices where kernel driver code fails to properly validate memory references after deallocation, allowing malicious operations to exploit this gap.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a non-privileged user executes specific GPU processing operations that trigger the use-after-free condition. This allows the attacker to access memory that has already been freed and potentially reallocated, enabling them to read or write arbitrary data within kernel memory space. The memory corruption can lead to information disclosure, privilege escalation, or even system compromise depending on the specific memory locations accessed. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple information leakage as it provides an attacker with the ability to manipulate kernel data structures and potentially execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. The nature of this flaw aligns with CWE-416, which specifically addresses use-after-free conditions in memory management, and represents a classic example of improper resource management in kernel space.
The operational implications of CVE-2022-42716 are severe given that it affects a fundamental component of mobile and embedded device graphics processing. Devices utilizing Arm Mali GPUs, including smartphones, tablets, embedded systems, and automotive infotainment units, could be compromised through this vulnerability. The attack vector requires only non-privileged user access, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through standard user applications or malicious software. The vulnerability essentially undermines the kernel's memory safety mechanisms and can lead to complete system compromise. The widespread deployment of Arm Mali GPUs across various device types means that this vulnerability could affect millions of devices, potentially including IoT devices, mobile phones, and enterprise systems. This type of vulnerability falls under ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves the exploitation of legitimate credentials and system privileges to gain unauthorized access.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching and system hardening measures. Device manufacturers and system administrators should prioritize applying the latest kernel updates from Arm that address this specific use-after-free condition. Additionally, implementing kernel memory protection mechanisms such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and kernel address space layout randomization can provide additional defense-in-depth measures. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper kernel code review and memory management practices, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security testing of kernel drivers. Organizations should consider implementing monitoring solutions to detect anomalous GPU processing patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments of embedded systems and mobile devices should include thorough evaluation of GPU driver components to identify similar memory management vulnerabilities. The remediation process requires careful consideration of the patching schedule to ensure that device availability is maintained while addressing the security risk.