CVE-2022-49581 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 02/26/2025
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
be2net: Fix buffer overflow in be_get_module_eeprom
be_cmd_read_port_transceiver_data assumes that it is given a buffer that is at least PAGE_DATA_LEN long, or twice that if the module supports SFF 8472. However, this is not always the case.
Fix this by passing the desired offset and length to be_cmd_read_port_transceiver_data so that we only copy the bytes once.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/23/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-49581 resides within the Linux kernel's be2net network driver implementation, specifically affecting the be_get_module_eeprom function. This issue represents a classic buffer overflow condition that occurs when handling EEPROM data retrieval from network transceiver modules. The flaw manifests in the interaction between the be_cmd_read_port_transceiver_data command handler and the buffer management logic that governs how data is copied from hardware modules to kernel memory structures. The vulnerability arises from insufficient validation of buffer boundaries before data transfer operations, creating potential pathways for memory corruption that could be exploited by malicious actors.
The technical root cause stems from an assumption made by the be_cmd_read_port_transceiver_data function that input buffers will always meet minimum size requirements. Specifically, this function expects buffers to be at least PAGE_DATA_LEN bytes in length, or twice that amount when dealing with modules supporting the SFF 8472 standard. However, the implementation fails to validate that incoming buffer parameters meet these requirements before proceeding with memory operations. This oversight creates a scenario where the kernel attempts to copy more data than the allocated buffer space can accommodate, leading to potential memory overwrite conditions that could corrupt adjacent memory regions or cause system instability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption, potentially enabling privilege escalation attacks and system compromise. When exploited, the buffer overflow could allow attackers to overwrite critical kernel memory structures, potentially leading to denial of service conditions or execution of arbitrary code with kernel privileges. The vulnerability affects systems utilizing the be2net driver, which is commonly found in enterprise networking equipment and server environments where reliable network connectivity is paramount. The attack surface is particularly concerning in environments where untrusted network data could be processed or where attackers might have access to network interface configuration capabilities.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on implementing robust input validation mechanisms within the be2net driver codebase. The fix implemented in the resolution addresses the core issue by modifying the function call interface to pass specific offset and length parameters directly to be_cmd_read_port_transceiver_data, ensuring that only the required amount of data is copied into the destination buffer. This approach eliminates the assumption-based buffer sizing and implements proper bounds checking. Organizations should prioritize applying the kernel patches provided by their distribution vendors and conduct thorough testing of network infrastructure to ensure complete remediation. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and could potentially map to ATT&CK technique T1059 for privilege escalation through kernel exploitation, making it a critical security concern for enterprise network environments.