CVE-2022-49294 is a vulnerability identified in the Linux kernel, specifically within the Direct Rendering Manager (DRM) subsystem for AMD display drivers. The flaw arises from a missing check for a zero value before performing a modulo operation, which subsequently leads to a division by zero error. When the kernel code attempts to divide by zero, it triggers a kernel panic, causing the affected system to crash or become unresponsive. This vulnerability is rooted in improper input validation in the drm/amd/display driver code path. Since the Linux kernel is a core component of many operating systems, including numerous distributions widely used in servers, desktops, and embedded systems, this vulnerability can affect a broad range of devices. The vulnerability does not require user interaction to be triggered but depends on the system processing certain display-related operations that involve the vulnerable code path. The issue has been resolved by adding a check to ensure the divisor is not zero before performing the division, preventing the kernel panic. No known exploits are currently reported in the wild, and no CVSS score has been assigned yet. The vulnerability affects specific Linux kernel versions identified by commit hashes, indicating it is present in certain recent kernel builds prior to the patch. The root cause is a classic divide-by-zero error, which is a common programming flaw but critical in kernel code due to the potential for system-wide denial of service.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2022-49294 is the risk of denial of service (DoS) on systems running vulnerable Linux kernels with AMD display drivers. This can lead to unexpected system crashes, service interruptions, and potential operational downtime. Organizations relying on Linux-based infrastructure for critical services, including cloud providers, data centers, and enterprises using Linux desktops or workstations with AMD GPUs, may experience disruptions. While this vulnerability does not directly lead to privilege escalation or data breach, the availability impact can be significant, especially in environments where uptime is critical. Systems used in industrial control, telecommunications, or public services could be particularly sensitive to such disruptions. Since no known exploits are in the wild, the immediate risk is moderate, but the vulnerability should be addressed promptly to prevent potential exploitation. The vulnerability also poses a risk to embedded systems and IoT devices running vulnerable Linux kernels with AMD display components, which are increasingly prevalent in European industries.

To mitigate CVE-2022-49294, European organizations should: 1) Identify all Linux systems running AMD display drivers, particularly those using affected kernel versions. 2) Apply the official Linux kernel patches that include the fix for this vulnerability as soon as they become available from trusted sources or Linux distribution vendors. 3) If immediate patching is not possible, consider temporarily disabling or limiting the use of AMD display drivers or related features that trigger the vulnerable code path, where feasible. 4) Monitor system logs and kernel messages for signs of kernel panics or crashes related to display operations. 5) Implement robust system monitoring and automated recovery mechanisms to minimize downtime in case of crashes. 6) Maintain an inventory of affected systems and ensure that firmware and driver updates are part of regular maintenance cycles. 7) Engage with Linux distribution security advisories and subscribe to vulnerability feeds to stay informed about updates and exploit developments. 8) For critical infrastructure, conduct risk assessments to evaluate the impact of potential DoS and plan for redundancy or failover capabilities.