CVE-2022-38096

Description

A NULL pointer dereference issue was found in the Linux kernel's vmwgfx driver in vmw_cmd_dx_define_query. This flaw allows a local, unprivileged attacker with access to either /dev/dri/card0 or /dev/dri/rendererD128, who can issue an ioctl() on the resulting file descriptor, to crash the system, causing a denial of service.

Statement

Systems making use of the vmwgfx driver are potentially affected by this flaw; systems without the vmwgfx driver loaded are not affected by this flaw.

Mitigation

To mitigate this issue, it is possible to prevent the affected code from being loaded by blacklisting the vmwgfx kernel module. For instructions relating to blacklisting a kernel module, please see https://access.redhat.com/solutions/41278.

Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) Score Details

Info alert:Important note

CVSS scores for open source components depend on vendor-specific factors (e.g. version or build chain). Therefore, Red Hat's score and impact rating can be different from NVD and other vendors. Red Hat remains the authoritative CVE Naming Authority (CNA) source for its products and services (see Red Hat classifications).

CVSS v3 Score Breakdown

Red HatNVDcve.org
Base Score5.55.56.3
Attack VectorLocalLocalNetwork
Attack ComplexityLowLowLow
Privileges RequiredLowLowLow
User InteractionNoneNoneRequired
ScopeUnchangedUnchangedUnchanged
ConfidentialityNoneNoneNone
Integrity ImpactNoneNoneLow
Availability ImpactHighHighHigh

Vector

Red Hat: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

NVD: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

cve.org: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:H

Understanding the Weakness (CWE)

Availability

Technical Impact: DoS: Crash, Exit, or Restart

NULL pointer dereferences usually result in the failure of the process unless exception handling (on some platforms) is available and implemented. Even when exception handling is being used, it can still be very difficult to return the software to a safe state of operation.

Integrity,Confidentiality

Technical Impact: Execute Unauthorized Code or Commands; Read Memory; Modify Memory

In rare circumstances, when NULL is equivalent to the 0x0 memory address and privileged code can access it, then writing or reading memory is possible, which may lead to code execution.

Frequently Asked Questions

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