Bifrost GPU Kernel Driver: Use After Free
CVE-2022-46891 is a high-severity use after free vulnerability in Bifrost GPU Kernel Driver from Arm, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.8 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. Affected Bifrost GPU Kernel Driver versions: r1p0 through r40p0. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.83% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 58% of scored CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Check which version of Bifrost GPU Kernel Driver you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Read the advisory on developer.arm.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arm | Bifrost GPU Kernel Driver | r1p0 through r40p0 | Not stated |
| Arm | Midgard GPU Kernel Driver | r13p0 through r32p0 | Not stated |
| Arm | Valhall GPU Kernel Driver | r19p0 through r40p0 | Not stated |
Version data comes from NVD's product matching. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- LowA basic user account is enough.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
Official description
An issue was discovered in the Arm Mali GPU Kernel Driver. There is a use-after-free. A non-privileged user can make improper GPU processing operations to gain access to already freed memory. This affects Midgard r13p0 through r32p0, Bifrost r1p0 through r40p0, and Valhall r19p0 through r40p0.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Use After Free
The product reuses or references memory after it has been freed. At some point afterward, the memory may be allocated again and saved in another pointer, while the original pointer references a location somewhere within the new allocation. Any operations using the original pointer are no longer valid because the memory belongs to the code that operates on the new pointer.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Choose a language that provides automatic memory management.
- When freeing pointers, be sure to set them to NULL once they are freed. However, the utilization of multiple or complex data structures may lower the usefulness of this strategy.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Other vulnerabilities in Bifrost GPU Kernel Driver
- 7.7 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
Recent Use After Free vulnerabilities
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
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