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CVE Record

CVE-2022-48882: net/mlx5e: Fix macsec possible null dereference when updating MAC security entity (SecY)

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: net/mlx5e: Fix macsec possible null dereference when updating MAC security entity (SecY) Upon updating MAC security entity (SecY) in hw offload path, the macsec security association (SA) initialization routine is called. In case of extended packet number (epn) is enabled the salt and ssci attributes are retrieved using the MACsec driver rx_sa context which is unavailable when updating a SecY property such as encoding-sa hence the null dereference. Fix by using the provided SA to set those attributes.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysisunknown

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This is a Linux kernel driver flaw in the mlx5e MACsec hardware offload path. A specific MACsec configuration update can hit a null pointer when extended packet numbers are enabled. The available sources do not provide CVSS, exploitation evidence, or business-impact detail.

Executive priority

Treat this as a targeted Linux kernel maintenance issue, not a broad emergency based on current evidence. Raise priority for environments relying on Mellanox mlx5e MACsec hardware offload, because a kernel null dereference can affect availability.

Technical view

The bug occurs when updating a MACsec SecY property, such as encoding-sa, in the mlx5e hardware offload path. The SA initialization routine reads salt and SSCI from an unavailable RX SA context when EPN is enabled. The kernel fix uses the provided SA instead.

Likely exposure

Likely limited to Linux systems using mlx5e-capable network hardware with MACsec hardware offload and EPN enabled. Source metadata identifies Linux as affected and includes 6.1, 6.1.7, and 6.2 version data, but downstream distribution exposure is not shown.

Exploitation context

No cited source or KEV entry indicates active exploitation. The source bundle only describes a kernel null dereference during a MACsec SecY update path. Practical exploitability, privilege requirements, and remote reachability are not established in the provided evidence.

Researcher notes

Evidence is sparse: no CVSS, CWE, exploit report, or detailed threat model is provided. Analysis should focus on validating reachable mlx5e MACsec offload configurations and mapping the upstream stable commits to distribution kernels or vendor appliance firmware.

Mitigation direction

  • Review vendor kernel advisories for your distribution and appliance images.
  • Prioritize kernel updates containing the referenced stable fixes.
  • Inventory systems using mlx5e NICs with MACsec hardware offload.
  • Assess whether MACsec EPN is enabled on exposed Linux systems.
  • If patching is delayed, consult vendor guidance before changing MACsec offload settings.

Validation and detection

  • Check running kernel versions against vendor advisories and stable backports.
  • Identify hosts with mlx5e drivers and MACsec hardware offload configured.
  • Review MACsec configuration for EPN and SecY update workflows.
  • Confirm patched kernels include the referenced stable commits.
  • Monitor kernel logs for mlx5e or MACsec null dereference crashes.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
4

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.

ATT&CK lookup starting points

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CVE-2022-48882 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Unknown
CVSS
Not scored
Known Exploited
No
Published
Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

0CVSS vectors
3Timeline events
1ADP providers
3Source links

SSVC decision data

CISA-ADPCISA Coordinator
Timestamp
Version
2.0.3
Exploitation: noneAutomatable: noTechnical Impact: partial

Vulnerability timeline

Timeline events are normalized from CVE metadata, CNA source timelines, ADP timelines, and KEV metadata when present.

  1. CVE reservedCVE Program

    The CVE ID was reserved by the assigning CNA.

  2. CVE publishedCVE Program

    The CVE record was published.

  3. CVE updatedCVE Program

    The CVE record metadata indicates this as the latest update time.

ADP provider summaries

CISA-ADPCISA ADP Vulnrichment
other:ssvc

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
LinuxLinux4411a6c0abd3e55b4a4fb9432b3a0553f12337c2, 4411a6c0abd3e55b4a4fb9432b3a0553f12337c2unaffected
LinuxLinux6.1, 0, 6.1.7, 6.2affected
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.