CVE-2022-38096: There is a NULL pointer vulnerability in vmwgfx driver

Published Sep 9, 2022
·
Updated

A NULL pointer dereference issue was found in the Linux kernel's vmwgfx driver in vmwcmddxdefinequery. Systems making use of the vmwgfx driver are potentially affected by this flaw. Exploiting the bug would require an attacker to have access to either /dev/dri/card0 or /dev/dri/rendererD128 and be able to issue an ioctl() on the resulting file descriptor. Under certain circumstances a local unprivileged user could use this flaw to crash the system, causing a denial of service.

Reference: https://bugzilla.openanolis.cn/showbug.cgi?id=2073

Other sources

A NULL pointer dereference vulnerability was found in vmwgfx driver in drivers/gpu/vmxgfx/vmxgfxexecbuf.c in GPU component of Linux kernel with device file '/dev/dri/renderD128 (or Dxxx)'. This flaw allows a local attacker with a user account on the system to gain privilege, causing a denial of service(DoS).

Launchpad

Linux Kernel could allow a local authenticated attacker to gain elevated privileges on the system, caused by a NULL pointer dereference flaw in the vmwgfx driver in drivers/gpu/vmxgfx/vmxgfxexecbuf.c in GPU component. By sending a specialy-crafted request, an authenticated attacker could exploit this vulnerability to gain elevated privilege to cause a denial of service condition.

IBM

There is a NULL pointer vulnerability in vmwgfx driver

Microsoft

Affected Software

7 affected componentsFixes available
Linux Linux kernel>=4.20
IBM QRadar SIEM<=7.5 - 7.5.0 UP8 IF01
debian/linux
5.10.223-15.10.234-16.1.129-16.1.135-16.12.25-16.12.27-1
Microsoft azl3 kernel 6.6.35.1-4
Microsoft cbl2 kernel 5.15.158.2-1
Microsoft cm1 kernel 5.10.189.1-1
Microsoft azl3 kernel 6.6.92.2-1

Event History

Sep 9, 2022
CVE Published
via MITRE·02:39 PM
Data Sourced
via MITRE·02:39 PM
DescriptionSeverityWeakness
Data Sourced
via NVD·03:15 PM
DescriptionSeverityWeaknessAffected Software
Sep 15, 2022
Data Sourced
via Microsoft·07:00 AM
DescriptionSeverityWeakness
Data Sourced
via Microsoft·07:00 AM
Affected Software
Updated
via Microsoft·07:00 AM
Affected Software
Updated
via Microsoft·07:00 AM
DescriptionSeverity
Oct 10, 2022
Data Sourced
via Red Hat·01:52 PM
DescriptionSeverityAffected Software
Jun 8, 2024
Data Sourced
via Launchpad·12:59 AM
Description
May 10, 2025
Data Sourced
via Ubuntu·04:50 AM
RemedyDescriptionSeverityAffected Software

Parent advisories

This vulnerability appears in the following advisories.

Frequently Asked Questions

1

What is the severity of CVE-2022-38096?

CVE-2022-38096 is a medium severity vulnerability due to the NULL pointer dereference in the vmwgfx driver.

2

How do I fix CVE-2022-38096?

To mitigate CVE-2022-38096, upgrade to the patched versions of the Linux kernel and ensure the vmwgfx driver is updated.

3

Which products are affected by CVE-2022-38096?

CVE-2022-38096 affects the Linux kernel versions from 4.20 and IBM QRadar SIEM versions up to 7.5.0 UP8 IF01.

4

What type of vulnerability is CVE-2022-38096?

CVE-2022-38096 is classified as a NULL pointer dereference vulnerability in the Linux kernel's vmwgfx driver.

5

Can CVE-2022-38096 be exploited remotely?

Exploitation of CVE-2022-38096 requires local access to the affected system, specifically to /dev/dri/card0 or similar devices.

Contact

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