Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2022-49485 is a Linux kernel availability bug in the drm/v3d graphics driver. A null pointer can be dereferenced before it is checked, causing a kernel failure path. The documented impact is denial of service, not data theft or privilege escalation.
Executive priority
Treat as a routine kernel availability patch unless critical devices depend on affected v3d graphics paths. No source indicates active exploitation, but local denial of service can still matter for kiosks, appliances, or operational endpoints.
Technical view
The flaw is CWE-476 in the v3d performance monitor path. The kernel fix moves dereferencing of perfmon until after the null check. CVSS 3.1 is 5.5: local attack vector, low complexity, low privileges required, no user interaction, high availability impact.
Likely exposure
Exposure is likely limited to Linux systems running affected kernel builds with the drm/v3d driver path present and reachable by local low-privileged users. The bundle does not identify specific distributions, hardware fleets, or cloud images, so package-level exposure must be confirmed locally.
Exploitation context
The source bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or any cited active exploitation. The vulnerability is local and availability-focused, so business risk centers on workstation, embedded, or device instability where vulnerable kernels and v3d usage exist.
Researcher notes
The evidence supports a null pointer dereference fixed upstream in stable kernel commits. Exact affected distribution packages and backport status are not provided. Avoid assuming exposure beyond Linux kernel builds containing the vulnerable drm/v3d perfmon code.
Mitigation direction
- Update affected Linux kernels to versions containing the referenced stable fixes.
- Check distribution advisories for backported fixes before relying on upstream version numbers.
- Limit local access to systems where v3d functionality is present and unnecessary.
- Prioritize devices where graphics driver crashes could affect operations or availability.
- Monitor vendor guidance for any additional mitigation details.
Validation and detection
- Inventory Linux kernel versions across endpoints, servers, and embedded devices.
- Identify systems loading or packaging the drm/v3d driver.
- Compare kernel source or packages against the referenced stable commits.
- Confirm distribution changelogs mention CVE-2022-49485 or the v3d perfmon null check fix.
- Run normal stability and regression tests after kernel updates.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
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
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CWE-476: Exact CWE lookup
Use the exact CWE identifier as the starting point before reviewing related ATT&CK behavior. Open the exact CWE lookup page first, then review the ATT&CK searches from that MITRE weakness context. This is a Glexia lookup hint, not an official ATT&CK mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2022-49485 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Medium
- CVSS
- 5.5 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
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.
SSVC decision data
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H1.83.6CISA-ADPVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
5.5MediumVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
Vulnerability timeline
Timeline events are normalized from CVE metadata, CNA source timelines, ADP timelines, and KEV metadata when present.
- CVE reservedCVE Program
The CVE ID was reserved by the assigning CNA.
- CVE publishedCVE Program
The CVE record was published.
- CVE updatedCVE Program
The CVE record metadata indicates this as the latest update time.
ADP provider summaries
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/4be045434923e549a50846a066a04b7b6c1d6d33CVE reference, Linux
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/1df8f8901babcc8c8eea2c067179e455b5c828fdCVE reference, Linux
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/3b72deb784a7d4ae8519a5c584cd87c4b57aa6c8CVE reference, Linux
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/ce7a1ecf3f9f1fccaf67295307614511d8e11b13CVE reference, Linux
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.
NULL Pointer Dereference
NULL Pointer Dereference represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.