CVE-2022-49900: linux kernel vulnerability

What is known

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: i2c: piix4: Fix adapter not be removed in piix4_remove() In piix4_probe(), the piix4 adapter will be registered in: piix4_probe() piix4_add_adapters_sb800() / piix4_add_adapter() i2c_add_adapter() Based on the probed device type, piix4_add_adapters_sb800() or single piix4_add_adapter() will be called. For the former case, piix4_adapter_count is set as the number of adapters, while for antoher case it is not set and kept default *zero*. When piix4 is removed, piix4_remove() removes the adapters added in piix4_probe(), basing on the piix4_adapter_count value. Because the count is zero for the single adapter case, the adapter won't be removed and makes the sources allocated for adapter leaked, such as the i2c client and device. These sources can still be accessed by i2c or bus and cause problems. An easily reproduced case is that if a new adapter is registered, i2c will get the leaked adapter and try to call smbus_algorithm, which was already freed: Triggered by: rmmod i2c_piix4 && modprobe max31730 BUG: unable to handle page fault for address: ffffffffc053d860 #PF: supervisor read access in kernel mode #PF: error_code(0x0000) - not-present page Oops: 0000 [#1] PREEMPT SMP KASAN CPU: 0 PID: 3752 Comm: modprobe Tainted: G Hardware name: QEMU Standard PC (i440FX + PIIX, 1996) RIP: 0010:i2c_default_probe (drivers/i2c/i2c-core-base.c:2259) i2c_core RSP: 0018:ffff888107477710 EFLAGS: 00000246 ... <TASK> i2c_detect (drivers/i2c/i2c-core-base.c:2302) i2c_core __process_new_driver (drivers/i2c/i2c-core-base.c:1336) i2c_core bus_for_each_dev (drivers/base/bus.c:301) i2c_for_each_dev (drivers/i2c/i2c-core-base.c:1823) i2c_core i2c_register_driver (drivers/i2c/i2c-core-base.c:1861) i2c_core do_one_initcall (init/main.c:1296) do_init_module (kernel/module/main.c:2455) ... </TASK> ---[ end trace 0000000000000000 ]--- Fix this problem by correctly set piix4_adapter_count as 1 for the single adapter so it can be normally removed.

Business impact

Successful exploitation of CVE-2022-49900, a high vulnerability (CVSS 7.8) affecting linux kernel, may affect the confidentiality, integrity or availability of the vulnerable environment. The exact impact depends on the installed version, exposed interfaces and deployment configuration.

Recommended administrator action

Confirm whether linux kernel is present and compare installed versions with the vendor advisory and NVD record. Apply the vendor patch or documented mitigation; until remediation is complete, reduce exposure of affected interfaces, review relevant logs and monitor for indicators of exploitation. DataHouse can support version verification, managed patching, network exposure reduction, log review and backup validation for dedicated, cloud and colocated environments.

Sources

• NVD
• Reference
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