CVE-2022-48806 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel's handling of I2C EEPROM device reads, specifically within the ee1004 EEPROM driver. The issue arises because the function ee1004_eeprom_read() does not properly limit the number of bytes read in a single I2C transaction. The underlying problem is related to the i2c_smbus_read_i2c_block_data_or_emulated() function, which accepts the length of data to read as an unsigned 8-bit integer (u8). When user space attempts to read the entire EEPROM at once, the calculated count can reach 256 bytes, which overflows the u8 type, causing an incorrect read size due to wraparound. This can lead to unexpected behavior or potential memory corruption within the kernel's I2C subsystem. The fix implemented limits each read operation to I2C_SMBUS_BLOCK_MAX, which is 32 bytes, the maximum size supported by the i2c_smbus_read_i2c_block_data_or_emulated() function. This ensures that no overflow occurs and that read operations are safely bounded. The vulnerability affects multiple Linux kernel versions as indicated by the affected commit hashes. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no CVSS score has been assigned yet. The vulnerability is technical and specific to the Linux kernel's I2C EEPROM driver implementation, which is a critical component in many embedded and general-purpose Linux systems for hardware communication over I2C buses.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2022-48806 depends largely on their use of Linux systems that interact with I2C EEPROM devices via the ee1004 driver. This vulnerability could lead to kernel memory corruption or instability when user space applications attempt to read EEPROM data incorrectly, potentially causing system crashes or unpredictable behavior. In environments where Linux is used in embedded systems, industrial control systems, or IoT devices—common in manufacturing, automotive, and critical infrastructure sectors—this could disrupt operations or create opportunities for privilege escalation if exploited in combination with other vulnerabilities. However, since no known exploits exist and the vulnerability requires specific conditions (reading EEPROM data in large blocks), the immediate risk is moderate. Confidentiality and integrity could be impacted if attackers leverage this flaw to manipulate kernel memory or cause denial of service. Availability could also be affected if the kernel crashes or hangs due to improper reads. European organizations relying on Linux for critical infrastructure or embedded device management should consider this vulnerability significant enough to warrant patching to maintain system stability and security.

To mitigate CVE-2022-48806, organizations should apply the latest Linux kernel patches that include the fix limiting I2C EEPROM reads to 32 bytes per transaction. Specifically, updating to kernel versions that incorporate commit effa453168a7 or later is essential. For embedded or IoT devices where kernel updates are less frequent, vendors should be contacted for firmware updates or patches. Additionally, organizations should audit their systems to identify usage of the ee1004 EEPROM driver and assess whether user space applications perform large block reads on I2C EEPROM devices. Limiting or controlling such read operations can reduce exposure. Implementing strict access controls to prevent unprivileged users from performing direct I2C EEPROM reads can also reduce risk. Monitoring kernel logs for unusual I2C read errors or crashes may help detect exploitation attempts. Finally, integrating this vulnerability into vulnerability management and patching workflows ensures timely remediation across all affected Linux systems.