CVE-2022-48769: efi: runtime: avoid EFIv2 runtime services on Apple x86 machines
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
efi: runtime: avoid EFIv2 runtime services on Apple x86 machines
Aditya reports [0] that his recent MacbookPro crashes in the firmware
when using the variable services at runtime. The culprit appears to be a
call to QueryVariableInfo(), which we did not use to call on Apple x86
machines in the past as they only upgraded from EFI v1.10 to EFI v2.40
firmware fairly recently, and QueryVariableInfo() (along with
UpdateCapsule() et al) was added in EFI v2.00.
The only runtime service introduced in EFI v2.00 that we actually use in
Linux is QueryVariableInfo(), as the capsule based ones are optional,
generally not used at runtime (all the LVFS/fwupd firmware update
infrastructure uses helper EFI programs that invoke capsule update at
boot time, not runtime), and not implemented by Apple machines in the
first place. QueryVariableInfo() is used to 'safely' set variables,
i.e., only when there is enough space. This prevents machines with buggy
firmwares from corrupting their NVRAMs when they run out of space.
Given that Apple machines have been using EFI v1.10 services only for
the longest time (the EFI v2.0 spec was released in 2006, and Linux
support for the newly introduced runtime services was added in 2011, but
the MacbookPro12,1 released in 2015 still claims to be EFI v1.10 only),
let's avoid the EFI v2.0 ones on all Apple x86 machines.
[0] https://lore.kernel.org/all/6D757C75-65B1-468B-842D-10410081A8E4@live.com/
Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This Linux kernel issue affects Intel-based Apple Macs running Linux. Some Apple firmware can crash when Linux calls an EFI v2 runtime variable service. The practical risk is system instability or crashes on a narrow hardware class, not a confirmed data theft or remote compromise issue.
Executive priority
Treat this as a targeted availability and stability fix for Linux-on-Intel-Mac environments. It should not displace internet-facing critical patching unless those systems are operationally important.
Technical view
Linux used QueryVariableInfo(), an EFI v2 runtime service, when setting EFI variables. On Apple x86 machines, that call could crash firmware. The fix avoids EFI v2 runtime services on Apple x86 systems because Apple historically exposed EFI v1.10 behavior and does not implement related capsule services.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely limited to Linux installations on Apple x86 hardware using affected kernel versions. Non-Apple systems and non-x86 Apple systems are not identified as affected in the supplied sources.
Exploitation context
The source bundle does not show active exploitation, KEV listing, public exploit activity, or a remote attack path. Evidence describes a firmware crash triggered by runtime EFI variable service use.
Researcher notes
The evidence is specific to Apple x86 firmware behavior and QueryVariableInfo(). Severity metadata, CVSS, CWE, and exploitability details are absent in the supplied bundle, so impact should be validated against actual hardware and kernel lineage.
Mitigation direction
Update to a vendor or stable Linux kernel containing the referenced fixes.
Prioritize Intel Apple Mac systems that boot Linux with affected kernels.
Check distribution advisories before changing custom or pinned kernels.
Avoid inventing workarounds; follow Linux distribution or upstream kernel guidance.
Validation and detection
Inventory Linux hosts running on Apple x86 hardware.
Compare kernel versions against vendor-fixed packages or referenced stable commits.
Review boot and firmware logs for EFI runtime variable service crashes.
Confirm patched kernels no longer use EFI v2 runtime services on Apple x86.
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Potential ATT&CK relevance
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CVE-2022-48769 mapping review
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