In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
rtc: cmos: Fix event handler registration ordering issue
Because acpi_install_fixed_event_handler() enables the event
automatically on success, it is incorrect to call it before the
handler routine passed to it is ready to handle events.
Unfortunately, the rtc-cmos driver does exactly the incorrect thing
by calling cmos_wake_setup(), which passes rtc_handler() to
acpi_install_fixed_event_handler(), before cmos_do_probe(), because
rtc_handler() uses dev_get_drvdata() to get to the cmos object
pointer and the driver data pointer is only populated in
cmos_do_probe().
This leads to a NULL pointer dereference in rtc_handler() on boot
if the RTC fixed event happens to be active at the init time.
To address this issue, change the initialization ordering of the
driver so that cmos_wake_setup() is always called after a successful
cmos_do_probe() call.
While at it, change cmos_pnp_probe() to call cmos_do_probe() after
the initial if () statement used for computing the IRQ argument to
be passed to cmos_do_probe() which is cleaner than calling it in
each branch of that if () (local variable "irq" can be of type int,
because it is passed to that function as an argument of type int).
Note that commit 6492fed7d8c9 ("rtc: rtc-cmos: Do not check
ACPI_FADT_LOW_POWER_S0") caused this issue to affect a larger number
of systems, because previously it only affected systems with
ACPI_FADT_LOW_POWER_S0 set, but it is present regardless of that
commit.
Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This Linux kernel issue can crash a system during startup when a real-time clock ACPI event fires before the RTC driver has finished setting up its internal data. The known impact is availability, not data theft. Public sources do not provide CVSS, CWE, or active exploitation evidence.
Executive priority
Treat as a reliability patch rather than an emergency breach response. Schedule remediation through normal kernel maintenance, with higher priority for critical infrastructure where boot failure would create business disruption.
Technical view
The rtc-cmos driver registered an ACPI fixed event handler before cmos_do_probe() populated driver data. If the RTC fixed event was active during initialization, rtc_handler() could dereference NULL via dev_get_drvdata(). The fix reorders initialization so cmos_wake_setup() runs only after successful probe.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most relevant for Linux systems running affected kernel ranges that use the rtc-cmos driver and ACPI RTC fixed events. The source notes a prior commit expanded the number of affected systems. Exact distribution package exposure is not identified in the provided sources.
Exploitation context
No active exploitation is reported in the supplied bundle, and KEV status is false. The described trigger is a boot-time RTC fixed event during driver initialization. Public sources provided do not describe remote, authenticated, or user-controlled exploitation conditions.
Researcher notes
The evidence supports a boot-time NULL pointer dereference in Linux rtc-cmos initialization ordering. No CVSS, CWE, exploit status, or distribution-specific package mapping is provided. Avoid assuming confidentiality or integrity impact without additional vendor analysis.
Mitigation direction
Update to a Linux kernel containing the referenced stable fixes.
Check your distribution kernel advisory before scheduling production rollout.
Prioritize systems where boot reliability is operationally critical.
Track vendor release notes for backported rtc-cmos fixes.
Validation and detection
Inventory running Linux kernel versions across the fleet.
Verify whether kernels include one of the cited stable commits.
Review boot logs for rtc-cmos or NULL pointer dereference failures.
Confirm patched systems reboot cleanly after maintenance.
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
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ATT&CK lookup starting points
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cve · low confidence lookup
CVE-2022-48953 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
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