CVE-2022-44546 in HarmonyOS
Summary
by MITRE • 11/10/2022
The kernel module has the vulnerability that the mapping is not cleared after the memory is automatically released. Successful exploitation of this vulnerability may cause a system restart.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/11/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-44546 resides within a kernel module component where improper memory management leads to persistent mappings even after memory allocation has been automatically released. This flaw represents a classic memory leak scenario that manifests at the kernel level, creating a persistent state where virtual memory mappings remain active despite the underlying physical memory being deallocated. The root cause lies in the kernel's memory management subsystem failing to properly invalidate or clear memory mapping entries during the automatic release process, which violates fundamental memory management principles and creates a persistent security risk.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate synchronization mechanisms within the kernel module's memory deallocation routine. When memory is automatically released by the kernel, the corresponding virtual memory mappings should be explicitly cleared to prevent any potential reuse or access to previously allocated memory regions. However, the flaw allows these mappings to persist in the kernel's virtual memory table, creating a condition where stale mappings may be accessed or manipulated by malicious actors. This behavior directly relates to CWE-404, which addresses improper resource management and memory leaks in kernel space operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory management issues to potentially compromise system stability and availability. Successful exploitation can trigger system restarts due to the kernel's handling of stale memory mappings, which may cause page fault exceptions or memory management unit (MMU) errors when the system attempts to access the cleared memory regions. The restart mechanism represents a denial-of-service condition that could be exploited by attackers to repeatedly disrupt system operations, particularly in environments where system availability is critical. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers system shutdown/reboot attacks through kernel-level manipulation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-44546 require kernel-level patches that ensure proper mapping invalidation during automatic memory release processes. System administrators should prioritize applying vendor-provided security updates that address the memory management flaw in the affected kernel modules. Additionally, implementing monitoring solutions that detect anomalous memory mapping behavior can provide early warning of potential exploitation attempts. The fix typically involves modifying the kernel's memory management code to ensure that all virtual memory mappings are properly cleared when memory is deallocated, preventing the persistence of stale mappings that could lead to system instability or unauthorized access patterns. Organizations should also consider implementing kernel module integrity checks and runtime memory monitoring to detect and prevent exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability.