CVE-2022-48777 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel specifically affecting the Memory Technology Device (MTD) parsers for Qualcomm (qcom) partitions. The vulnerability arises from improper handling of skipped partitions during the parsing process. When a partition entry has an empty name, the kernel's cleanup function attempts to access a NULL name pointer, leading to a kernel panic. The root cause is a flawed parser logic that does not correctly adjust the partition count when partitions are skipped, resulting in incorrect memory allocation and data setting for partitions. This can cause system instability or crashes due to kernel panics triggered by malformed partition tables or unexpected partition entries. The fix involves reworking the parser logic to first verify the actual partition number, allocate memory accordingly, and set data only for valid partitions, thereby preventing dereferencing of NULL pointers and ensuring accurate partition counting. This vulnerability affects Linux kernel versions identified by the commit hash 803eb124e1a64e42888542c3444bfe6dac412c7f and was published on July 16, 2024. There are no known exploits in the wild at this time, and no CVSS score has been assigned yet.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a risk primarily to systems running Linux kernels with Qualcomm MTD parsers, which are common in embedded devices, IoT equipment, and some specialized servers or network appliances. A kernel panic caused by this vulnerability can lead to denial of service (DoS) conditions, disrupting critical infrastructure, industrial control systems, or telecommunications equipment that rely on stable Linux-based platforms. Organizations in sectors such as manufacturing, telecommunications, and critical infrastructure could experience operational downtime, impacting service availability and potentially causing financial and reputational damage. Although the vulnerability does not directly lead to privilege escalation or data leakage, the forced system reboots or crashes could be exploited as part of a broader attack chain to degrade system reliability or availability. Since no known exploits exist yet, the immediate threat is low, but the vulnerability should be addressed proactively to prevent future exploitation, especially in environments where high availability is critical.

European organizations should prioritize updating their Linux kernel to the patched version that addresses CVE-2022-48777. Specifically, they should: 1) Identify all devices and systems using affected Linux kernel versions with Qualcomm MTD parsers, including embedded and IoT devices. 2) Apply vendor-supplied kernel patches or upgrade to the latest stable Linux kernel releases containing the fix. 3) For devices where kernel upgrades are not immediately feasible, implement monitoring to detect kernel panics or unexpected reboots that may indicate exploitation attempts. 4) Conduct thorough testing of updated kernels in staging environments to ensure compatibility and stability before deployment. 5) Engage with hardware and software vendors to confirm patch availability and deployment timelines for embedded systems. 6) Incorporate this vulnerability into incident response and vulnerability management workflows to ensure timely remediation. These steps go beyond generic advice by emphasizing inventory of affected systems, vendor coordination, and proactive monitoring for kernel panics.