CVE-2022-2153: Null Pointer Dereference

Published Mar 29, 2022
·
Updated

A flaw was found in the Linux kernel’s KVM when attempting to set a SynIC IRQ. This issue makes it possible for a misbehaving VMM to write to SYNIC/STIMER MSRs, causing a NULL pointer dereference. This flaw allows an unprivileged local attacker on the host to issue specific ioctl calls, causing a kernel oops condition that results in a denial of service.

Other sources

When KVM initialize a vCPU without create apic, the value of vcpu->arch.apic is NULL, then if we enter guest and let KVM call kvmhvprocessstimers() in arch/x86/kvm/x86.c:9947, which doesn't check apic in the kernel. Process stimer will use apic finally so it will cause a null pointer dereference. This flaw allows a malicious user in a Local DOS condition.

References:

https://patchew.org/linux/20220325132140.25650-1-vkuznets@redhat.com/

— Red Hat

Affected Software

123 affected componentsFixes available
Linux Linux kernel<5.18
Fedoraproject Fedora=36
redhat Enterprise Linux=6.0
redhat Enterprise Linux=7.0
redhat Enterprise Linux=8.0
redhat Enterprise Linux=9.0
Debian Debian Linux=10.0
redhat/kernel<5.18
5.18
debian/linux<5.17.3-1
5.17.3-1
debian/linux<5.17.3-1
5.17.3-1
debian/linux<5.17.3-1
5.17.3-1
ubuntu/linux-azure<4.15.0-1157.172~14.04.2
4.15.0-1157.172~14.04.2
ubuntu/linux-aws-hwe<4.15.0-1143.155~16.04.1
4.15.0-1143.155~16.04.1
ubuntu/linux-azure<4.15.0-1159.174~16.04.1
4.15.0-1159.174~16.04.1
ubuntu/linux-gcp<4.15.0-1138.154~16.04.1
4.15.0-1138.154~16.04.1
ubuntu/linux-hwe<4.15.0-197.208~16.04.1
4.15.0-197.208~16.04.1
ubuntu/linux-oracle<4.15.0-1108.119~16.04.1
4.15.0-1108.119~16.04.1
ubuntu/linux-hwe-edge*
ubuntu/linux<4.15.0-197.208
4.15.0-197.208
ubuntu/linux-aws<4.15.0-1143.155
4.15.0-1143.155
ubuntu/linux-aws-5.4<5.4.0-1089.97~18.04.1
5.4.0-1089.97~18.04.1
ubuntu/linux-azure-4.15<4.15.0-1157.172
4.15.0-1157.172
ubuntu/linux-azure-5.4<5.4.0-1095.101~18.04.1
5.4.0-1095.101~18.04.1
ubuntu/linux-dell300x<4.15.0-1055.60
4.15.0-1055.60
ubuntu/linux-gcp-4.15<4.15.0-1138.154
4.15.0-1138.154
ubuntu/linux-gcp-5.4<5.4.0-1093.102~18.04.1
5.4.0-1093.102~18.04.1
ubuntu/linux-hwe-5.4<5.4.0-132.148~18.04.1
5.4.0-132.148~18.04.1
ubuntu/linux-ibm-5.4<5.4.0-1037.42~18.04.1
5.4.0-1037.42~18.04.1
ubuntu/linux-kvm<4.15.0-1129.134
4.15.0-1129.134
ubuntu/linux-oracle<4.15.0-1108.119
4.15.0-1108.119
ubuntu/linux-oracle-5.4<5.4.0-1087.96~18.04.1
5.4.0-1087.96~18.04.1
ubuntu/linux-raspi-5.4<5.4.0-1074.85~18.04.1
5.4.0-1074.85~18.04.1
ubuntu/linux-raspi2<4.15.0-1121.129
4.15.0-1121.129
ubuntu/linux-snapdragon<4.15.0-1139.149
4.15.0-1139.149
ubuntu/linux-aws-5.0*
ubuntu/linux-aws-5.3*
ubuntu/linux-azure*
ubuntu/linux-azure-5.3*
ubuntu/linux-azure-edge*
ubuntu/linux-gcp*
ubuntu/linux-gcp-5.3*
ubuntu/linux-gke-4.15*
ubuntu/linux-gke-5.4*
ubuntu/linux-gkeop-5.4*
ubuntu/linux-hwe*
ubuntu/linux-hwe-edge*
ubuntu/linux-oem*
ubuntu/linux-oracle-5.0*
ubuntu/linux-oracle-5.3*
ubuntu/linux-aws-fips<4.15.0-2082.88
4.15.0-2082.88
ubuntu/linux-azure-fips<4.15.0-2066.72
4.15.0-2066.72
ubuntu/linux-fips<4.15.0-1100.111
4.15.0-1100.111
ubuntu/linux-gcp-fips<4.15.0-2047.52
4.15.0-2047.52
ubuntu/linux-aws-fips*
ubuntu/linux-azure-fips*
ubuntu/linux-fips*
ubuntu/linux-gcp-fips*
ubuntu/linux<5.4.0-132.148
5.4.0-132.148
ubuntu/linux-aws<5.4.0-1089.97
5.4.0-1089.97
ubuntu/linux-azure<5.4.0-1095.101
5.4.0-1095.101
ubuntu/linux-azure-5.15<5.15.0-1008.9~20.04.1
5.15.0-1008.9~20.04.1
ubuntu/linux-bluefield<5.4.0-1050.56
5.4.0-1050.56
ubuntu/linux-gcp<5.4.0-1093.102
5.4.0-1093.102
ubuntu/linux-gke<5.4.0-1087.94
5.4.0-1087.94
ubuntu/linux-gkeop<5.4.0-1057.61
5.4.0-1057.61
ubuntu/linux-hwe-5.15<5.15.0-41.44~20.04.1
5.15.0-41.44~20.04.1
ubuntu/linux-ibm<5.4.0-1037.42
5.4.0-1037.42
ubuntu/linux-intel-iotg-5.15<5.15.0-1008.11~20.04.1
5.15.0-1008.11~20.04.1
ubuntu/linux-iot<5.4.0-1006.8
5.4.0-1006.8
ubuntu/linux-kvm<5.4.0-1079.85
5.4.0-1079.85
ubuntu/linux-lowlatency-hwe-5.15<5.15.0-42.45~20.04.1
5.15.0-42.45~20.04.1
ubuntu/linux-oracle<5.4.0-1087.96
5.4.0-1087.96
ubuntu/linux-raspi<5.4.0-1074.85
5.4.0-1074.85
ubuntu/linux-aws-5.11*
ubuntu/linux-aws-5.13*
ubuntu/linux-aws-5.8*
ubuntu/linux-azure-5.11*
ubuntu/linux-azure-5.13*
ubuntu/linux-azure-5.8*
ubuntu/linux-gcp-5.11*
ubuntu/linux-gcp-5.13*
ubuntu/linux-gcp-5.8*
ubuntu/linux-hwe-5.11*
ubuntu/linux-hwe-5.13*
ubuntu/linux-hwe-5.8*
ubuntu/linux-intel-5.13*
ubuntu/linux-oem-5.10*
ubuntu/linux-oem-5.13*
ubuntu/linux-oem-5.6*
ubuntu/linux-oracle-5.11*
ubuntu/linux-oracle-5.13*
ubuntu/linux-oracle-5.8*
ubuntu/linux-raspi2*
ubuntu/linux-riscv*
ubuntu/linux-riscv-5.11*
ubuntu/linux-riscv-5.8*
ubuntu/linux-aws-fips<5.4.0-1089.97+fips1
5.4.0-1089.97+fips1
ubuntu/linux-azure-fips<5.4.0-1095.101+fips1
5.4.0-1095.101+fips1
ubuntu/linux-fips<5.4.0-1065.74
5.4.0-1065.74
ubuntu/linux-gcp-fips<5.4.0-1093.102+fips1
5.4.0-1093.102+fips1
ubuntu/linux-aws-fips*
ubuntu/linux-azure-fips*
ubuntu/linux-fips*
ubuntu/linux-gcp-fips*
ubuntu/linux<5.15.0-37.39
5.15.0-37.39
ubuntu/linux-aws<5.15.0-1011.14
5.15.0-1011.14
ubuntu/linux-azure<5.15.0-1010.12
5.15.0-1010.12
ubuntu/linux-gcp<5.15.0-1008.12
5.15.0-1008.12
ubuntu/linux-gke<5.15.0-1008.10
5.15.0-1008.10
ubuntu/linux-ibm<5.15.0-1007.8
5.15.0-1007.8
ubuntu/linux-intel-iot-realtime*
ubuntu/linux-intel-iotg<5.15.0-1008.11
5.15.0-1008.11
ubuntu/linux-kvm<5.15.0-1010.11
5.15.0-1010.11
ubuntu/linux-lowlatency<5.15.0-37.39
5.15.0-37.39
ubuntu/linux-oem-5.17<5.17.0-1004.4
5.17.0-1004.4
ubuntu/linux-oracle<5.15.0-1009.12
5.15.0-1009.12
ubuntu/linux-raspi<5.15.0-1011.13
5.15.0-1011.13
ubuntu/linux-realtime*
ubuntu/linux-riscv<5.15.0-1012.13
5.15.0-1012.13
ubuntu/linux-realtime<5.15.0-1014.14
5.15.0-1014.14
ubuntu/linux-raspi-realtime*
ubuntu/linux-vmware*
debian/linux
6.1.176-16.1.190-16.12.107-16.12.116-17.2.15-17.3.4-1

Remediation

Recommended actions to resolve this vulnerability, in priority order.

  1. Upgrade

    Upgrade redhat/kernel to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.18
  2. Upgrade

    Upgrade debian/linux to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.17.3-1
  3. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 4.15.0-1157.172~14.04.2
  4. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-aws-hwe to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 4.15.0-1143.155~16.04.1
  5. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 4.15.0-1159.174~16.04.1
  6. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gcp to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 4.15.0-1138.154~16.04.1
  7. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-hwe to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 4.15.0-197.208~16.04.1
  8. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-oracle to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 4.15.0-1108.119~16.04.1
  9. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 4.15.0-197.208
  10. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-aws to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 4.15.0-1143.155
  11. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-aws-5.4 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.4.0-1089.97~18.04.1
  12. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure-4.15 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 4.15.0-1157.172
  13. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure-5.4 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.4.0-1095.101~18.04.1
  14. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-dell300x to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 4.15.0-1055.60
  15. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gcp-4.15 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 4.15.0-1138.154
  16. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gcp-5.4 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.4.0-1093.102~18.04.1
  17. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-hwe-5.4 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.4.0-132.148~18.04.1
  18. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-ibm-5.4 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.4.0-1037.42~18.04.1
  19. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-kvm to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 4.15.0-1129.134
  20. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-oracle to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 4.15.0-1108.119
  21. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-oracle-5.4 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.4.0-1087.96~18.04.1
  22. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-raspi-5.4 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.4.0-1074.85~18.04.1
  23. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-raspi2 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 4.15.0-1121.129
  24. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-snapdragon to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 4.15.0-1139.149
  25. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-aws-fips to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 4.15.0-2082.88
  26. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure-fips to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 4.15.0-2066.72
  27. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-fips to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 4.15.0-1100.111
  28. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gcp-fips to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 4.15.0-2047.52
  29. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.4.0-132.148
  30. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-aws to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.4.0-1089.97
  31. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.4.0-1095.101
  32. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure-5.15 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.15.0-1008.9~20.04.1
  33. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-bluefield to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.4.0-1050.56
  34. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gcp to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.4.0-1093.102
  35. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gke to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.4.0-1087.94
  36. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gkeop to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.4.0-1057.61
  37. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-hwe-5.15 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.15.0-41.44~20.04.1
  38. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-ibm to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.4.0-1037.42
  39. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-intel-iotg-5.15 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.15.0-1008.11~20.04.1
  40. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-iot to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.4.0-1006.8
  41. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-kvm to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.4.0-1079.85
  42. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-lowlatency-hwe-5.15 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.15.0-42.45~20.04.1
  43. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-oracle to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.4.0-1087.96
  44. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-raspi to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.4.0-1074.85
  45. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-aws-fips to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.4.0-1089.97+fips1
  46. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure-fips to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.4.0-1095.101+fips1
  47. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-fips to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.4.0-1065.74
  48. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gcp-fips to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.4.0-1093.102+fips1
  49. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.15.0-37.39
  50. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-aws to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.15.0-1011.14
  51. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-azure to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.15.0-1010.12
  52. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gcp to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.15.0-1008.12
  53. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-gke to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.15.0-1008.10
  54. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-ibm to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.15.0-1007.8
  55. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-intel-iotg to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.15.0-1008.11
  56. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-kvm to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.15.0-1010.11
  57. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-lowlatency to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.15.0-37.39
  58. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-oem-5.17 to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.17.0-1004.4
  59. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-oracle to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.15.0-1009.12
  60. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-raspi to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.15.0-1011.13
  61. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-riscv to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.15.0-1012.13
  62. Upgrade

    Upgrade ubuntu/linux-realtime to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 5.15.0-1014.14
  63. Upgrade

    Upgrade debian/linux to a version that resolves this vulnerability.

    Fixed in 6.1.176-1Fixed in 6.1.190-1Fixed in 6.12.107-1Fixed in 6.12.116-1Fixed in 7.2.15-1Fixed in 7.3.4-1

Event History

Mar 29, 2022
Data Sourced
via Red Hat·03:11 PM
DescriptionSeverityAffected Software
Aug 31, 2022
CVE Published
via MITRE·12:00 AM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·12:00 AM
DescriptionWeakness
Data Sourced
via NVD·04:15 PM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software
Nov 11, 2026
Data Sourced
via OSV·09:37 AM
SeverityAffected Software

Parent advisories

This vulnerability appears in the following advisories.

Peer vulnerabilities

Found alongside the following vulnerabilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2022-2153?

CVE-2022-2153 has been assessed as medium severity due to the potential for a NULL pointer dereference by an unprivileged local attacker.

2

How do I fix CVE-2022-2153?

To fix CVE-2022-2153, upgrade to Linux kernel version 5.18 or apply available patches provided by your distribution.

3

Which Linux distributions are affected by CVE-2022-2153?

CVE-2022-2153 affects various Linux distributions including Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Fedora, and Debian Linux versions prior to their respective patches.

4

What can exploit CVE-2022-2153?

An unprivileged local attacker on the host can exploit CVE-2022-2153 by issuing specific ioctl calls to trigger the vulnerability.

5

What does CVE-2022-2153 impact?

CVE-2022-2153 impacts the Linux kernel's KVM functionality, particularly when handling SynIC IRQ settings.

Contact

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