CVE-2022-48662 is a high-severity vulnerability in the Linux kernel's Intel i915 graphics driver subsystem, specifically within the Direct Rendering Manager (DRM) component. The flaw arises from improper handling of the i915_gem_context linked list during context closure. The i915_perf component assumes that the i915_gem_context reference protects iteration over the gem.contexts.list. However, the context is removed from this list prematurely during context_close(), before the final reference is dropped and the structure is released. This premature removal can poison the link.next pointer, leading to a general protection fault (GPF) due to dereferencing invalid or non-canonical memory addresses. The vulnerability manifests as a kernel crash (GPF) triggered by ioctl calls related to performance monitoring on Intel integrated graphics hardware, as evidenced by the detailed kernel stack trace and register dumps. The root cause is a race condition and use-after-free scenario in the i915 driver’s context management, classified under CWE-119 (Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer). Exploitation requires local privileges (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), and privileges (PR:L), but no user interaction (UI:N). The impact includes full confidentiality, integrity, and availability compromise (C:H/I:H/A:H), as a kernel crash can lead to denial of service and potentially privilege escalation or arbitrary code execution if exploited further. The vulnerability affects specific Linux kernel versions containing the vulnerable commit (f8246cf4d9a9...), and has been patched in recent kernel updates. No known exploits are currently in the wild, but the high CVSS score (7.8) and the critical nature of kernel vulnerabilities warrant immediate attention.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk, especially those relying on Linux-based systems with Intel integrated graphics hardware, such as desktops, laptops, and servers running workloads that utilize the i915 driver. The vulnerability can lead to kernel crashes causing denial of service, disrupting critical services and operations. In environments where Linux is used for sensitive workloads, including financial institutions, research centers, and governmental agencies, exploitation could lead to data breaches or system compromise if combined with other attack vectors. The requirement for local privileges limits remote exploitation, but insider threats or compromised user accounts could trigger the vulnerability. Additionally, organizations using performance monitoring tools or custom software interfacing with the i915 driver are at higher risk. The disruption caused by kernel panics can affect availability of services and potentially lead to data corruption or loss. Given the widespread use of Linux in European IT infrastructure, the vulnerability could have broad operational impacts if not mitigated promptly.

European organizations should prioritize updating their Linux kernels to versions that include the patch fixing CVE-2022-48662. Kernel updates from trusted distributors (e.g., Debian, Ubuntu, Red Hat, SUSE) should be applied promptly. For systems where immediate patching is not feasible, organizations should restrict access to systems with Intel integrated graphics to trusted users only, minimizing the risk of local exploitation. Monitoring and auditing of kernel logs for signs of i915-related crashes or suspicious ioctl calls can help detect attempted exploitation. Additionally, organizations should review and harden user privilege management to prevent unauthorized local access. Disabling or limiting the use of performance monitoring features that interact with i915_perf may reduce exposure. For critical environments, consider deploying kernel live patching solutions to apply fixes without downtime. Finally, maintain up-to-date backups and incident response plans to quickly recover from potential disruptions caused by exploitation attempts.