CVE-2022-2153 : Security Advisory and Response
CVE-2022-2153 impacts the Linux kernel's KVM component, allowing an unprivileged local attacker to trigger a denial of service via specific ioctl calls. Learn about the technical details and mitigation strategies.
A flaw was discovered in the Linux kernel's Kernel-based Virtual Machine (KVM) component, specifically when setting a SynIC IRQ. This vulnerability enables a malicious VMM (Virtual Machine Monitor) to manipulate specific memory locations, resulting in a denial of service attack on the host system.
Understanding CVE-2022-2153
This section will elaborate on the impact and technical details of CVE-2022-2153.
What is CVE-2022-2153?
CVE-2022-2153 is a vulnerability in the Linux kernel's KVM that allows an unprivileged local attacker to trigger a kernel oops condition, leading to a denial of service.
The Impact of CVE-2022-2153
The vulnerability allows a misbehaving VMM to write to specific memory locations, causing a NULL pointer dereference, and ultimately resulting in a denial of service on the host system.
Technical Details of CVE-2022-2153
In this section, we will delve into the vulnerability description, affected systems, and the exploitation mechanism.
Vulnerability Description
A flaw in the KVM component of the Linux kernel allows an unprivileged attacker to issue specific ioctl calls, leading to a kernel oops condition and a denial of service.
Affected Systems and Versions
The vulnerability affects the 'kernel 5.18' version, making it vulnerable to exploitation by local unprivileged attackers.
Exploitation Mechanism
By manipulating the SYNIC/STIMER MSRs through specific ioctl calls, a malicious VMM can trigger a kernel oops condition, causing a denial of service.
Mitigation and Prevention
This section provides guidelines on immediate actions to take and long-term security practices to mitigate the impact of CVE-2022-2153.
Immediate Steps to Take
Immediately apply patches provided by the Linux kernel maintainers to address the vulnerability and prevent exploitation.
Long-Term Security Practices
Regularly update the kernel to the latest stable version and follow security best practices to secure the host system against potential threats.
Patching and Updates
Stay informed about security advisories from relevant distribution channels and apply security updates promptly to mitigate the risk of exploitation.