CVE-2022-49262 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 02/26/2025
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
crypto: octeontx2 - remove CONFIG_DM_CRYPT check
No issues were found while using the driver with dm-crypt enabled. So CONFIG_DM_CRYPT check in the driver can be removed.
This also fixes the NULL pointer dereference in driver release if CONFIG_DM_CRYPT is enabled.
... Unable to handle kernel NULL pointer dereference at virtual address 0000000000000008 ... Call trace: crypto_unregister_alg+0x68/0xfc crypto_unregister_skciphers+0x44/0x60 otx2_cpt_crypto_exit+0x100/0x1a0 otx2_cptvf_remove+0xf8/0x200 pci_device_remove+0x3c/0xd4 __device_release_driver+0x188/0x234 device_release_driver+0x2c/0x4c ...
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/16/2026
The vulnerability described in CVE-2022-49262 affects the Linux kernel's crypto subsystem, specifically within the octeontx2 driver implementation. This issue resides in the cryptographic hardware acceleration driver for Cavium Octeon TX2 platforms, which is designed to provide high-performance crypto operations for network security applications. The vulnerability stems from an unnecessary configuration check that was preventing proper driver initialization and cleanup when dm-crypt functionality is enabled, creating a potential system instability condition. The root cause of this vulnerability can be categorized under CWE-476 as a NULL pointer dereference, which represents a classic software defect where a program attempts to access memory through a pointer that has not been properly initialized or has been set to NULL.
The technical flaw manifests when the octeontx2 crypto driver attempts to clean up its resources during driver removal while dm-crypt is enabled. The driver contains an overly restrictive CONFIG_DM_CRYPT check that prevents proper initialization and cleanup operations, leading to a scenario where the driver's release function attempts to dereference a NULL pointer at virtual address 0000000000000008. This NULL pointer dereference occurs during the crypto_unregister_alg function call within the driver's cleanup sequence, specifically when attempting to unregister cryptographic algorithms. The call trace demonstrates the execution path leading to the kernel panic, showing the cascade of function calls from crypto_unregister_alg through crypto_unregister_skciphers up to the otx2_cpt_crypto_exit function, ultimately failing during otx2_cptvf_remove execution. This behavior represents a direct violation of the Linux kernel's memory safety requirements and can result in system crashes or unexpected behavior.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system instability to potentially compromise the security and reliability of systems using Cavium Octeon TX2 hardware platforms. When dm-crypt is enabled, which is common in enterprise and security-sensitive environments, the driver's inability to properly clean up resources creates a persistent risk of kernel panics during system shutdown or driver reload operations. This vulnerability affects systems that rely on both hardware-based cryptographic acceleration and software-based disk encryption, which are increasingly common in modern server deployments and cloud infrastructure. The issue particularly impacts environments where the octeontx2 crypto driver is used in conjunction with full disk encryption solutions, as the driver's improper cleanup routine could lead to complete system crashes and data accessibility issues. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability could potentially be exploited to cause denial of service conditions or, in more sophisticated scenarios, might be leveraged as part of a broader attack chain targeting system stability and availability.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve updating to kernel versions that include the fix for CVE-2022-49262, which removes the unnecessary CONFIG_DM_CRYPT check from the octeontx2 driver. System administrators should prioritize applying kernel updates that contain this patch, particularly in production environments where both hardware crypto acceleration and dm-crypt functionality are in use. The fix directly addresses the root cause by eliminating the problematic configuration check that was preventing proper driver resource management. Organizations should also implement monitoring for system stability indicators and kernel panic events that might indicate this vulnerability is present in unpatched systems. Additionally, security teams should review their cryptographic infrastructure to ensure that hardware acceleration drivers are properly configured and that dm-crypt integration is tested thoroughly in their specific deployment environments. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which involves the exploitation of system resource exhaustion or instability, and represents a critical maintenance requirement for systems utilizing hardware cryptographic accelerators in security-sensitive deployments. The resolution of this issue demonstrates the importance of proper driver resource management and the potential for seemingly minor configuration checks to create significant stability and security implications in kernel-space code.