CVE-2022-49231 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 02/26/2025
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
rtw88: fix memory overrun and memory leak during hw_scan
Previously we allocated less memory than actual required, overwrite to the buffer causes the mm module to complaint and raise access violation faults. Along with potential memory leaks when returned early. Fix these by passing the correct size and proper deinit flow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/19/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-49231 affects the Linux kernel's rtw88 wireless driver implementation and represents a critical memory management flaw that can lead to system instability and potential exploitation. This issue specifically manifests during hardware scan operations where the driver fails to properly allocate memory resources, creating conditions that allow for both memory overruns and memory leaks to occur. The root cause stems from the driver's inability to accurately calculate the required memory allocation size for hardware scan operations, resulting in insufficient buffer space being provisioned for the actual data processing requirements. When the driver attempts to write data beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, the kernel's memory management subsystem detects these violations and generates access violation faults that can crash the system or lead to unpredictable behavior.
The technical flaw in this vulnerability can be categorized under CWE-121, which addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-401, which deals with failure to release memory allocated to a program. The rtw88 driver's hardware scan functionality operates within the kernel space where memory management errors can have severe consequences for system stability and security. During hardware scan operations, the driver must allocate sufficient memory to accommodate scan results and associated metadata, but due to incorrect size calculations, it allocates insufficient memory. This inadequate allocation causes buffer overflows when the driver attempts to populate scan results, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability also introduces memory leak conditions when the driver exits early from scan operations, as proper cleanup procedures are not executed, leaving allocated memory segments unreleased and potentially exploitable for resource exhaustion attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-49231 extends beyond simple system crashes, as it can enable various attack vectors that leverage the memory corruption conditions. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and control through kernel-level memory corruption, and T1566.001 for initial access via kernel exploits. Systems utilizing the rtw88 wireless driver, particularly those running kernel versions affected by this issue, face potential denial of service conditions where the system becomes unresponsive due to memory management failures during wireless network scanning operations. The vulnerability can be triggered through normal wireless network operations, making it particularly concerning for mobile devices and embedded systems where wireless connectivity is essential for operation. Network administrators should note that this vulnerability can affect both enterprise and consumer devices that rely on Realtek wireless chipsets, potentially creating widespread impact across various device types including laptops, tablets, and IoT devices.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2022-49231 requires immediate kernel updates that implement proper memory allocation calculations and ensure correct initialization and deinitialization sequences during hardware scan operations. The fix addresses the core issue by implementing correct size parameters for memory allocation and establishing proper cleanup procedures that prevent memory leaks when early returns occur during scan operations. System administrators should prioritize patching affected kernel versions, particularly those running Linux kernel versions prior to the fix release, as the vulnerability can be exploited to gain unauthorized access to system resources. Additionally, monitoring for memory management errors and access violation faults during wireless network scanning operations can serve as an early detection mechanism for potential exploitation attempts. The solution demonstrates proper defensive programming practices that align with kernel security best practices, ensuring that all memory operations are properly bounded and that cleanup procedures are executed regardless of program execution flow. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit potential attack surfaces, as the vulnerability's exploitation could potentially lead to privilege escalation or persistent access to affected systems.