CVE-2022-49723 is a vulnerability in the Linux kernel's Intel i915 graphics driver subsystem, specifically within the drm/i915/reset component. The flaw arises from improper pointer offset handling in the error_state_read function when there is no i915_gpu_coredump available but a non-zero buffer offset is used. This incorrect pointer arithmetic can lead to a kernel page fault, causing the kernel to crash (kernel oops). The issue manifests under conditions where multiple tests run concurrently in a loop, with one test producing engine resets and consuming the i915 error_state dump, while another forces full Graphics Technology (GT) resets. The vulnerability is subtle and takes time to trigger, but when it does, it results in a supervisor read access fault in kernel mode, as evidenced by the detailed dmesg kernel trace provided. The crash occurs during a memcpy operation, indicating an invalid memory access due to the pointer miscalculation. This vulnerability affects Linux kernel versions containing the specified commit hashes and is related to Intel Alder Lake Client platforms, although it may affect other Intel graphics platforms using the i915 driver. The flaw does not appear to have known exploits in the wild at this time, and no CVSS score has been assigned. The root cause is a logic error in pointer offset usage within the error_state_read function, which has been fixed in the Linux kernel source to prevent kernel page faults and improve stability during concurrent GPU reset operations.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2022-49723 is on system stability and availability rather than direct confidentiality or integrity breaches. Systems running Linux kernels with the vulnerable i915 driver may experience kernel panics or crashes under specific workloads involving concurrent GPU resets, which can disrupt services relying on Intel integrated graphics. This is particularly relevant for data centers, cloud providers, and enterprises using Linux-based servers or workstations with Intel graphics hardware for compute or graphical tasks. The downtime caused by kernel crashes can lead to productivity losses, service interruptions, and potential cascading failures in critical infrastructure. While there is no indication of privilege escalation or remote code execution, the denial-of-service (DoS) potential through kernel crashes can be exploited in multi-tenant environments or by malicious insiders to degrade system reliability. European organizations with high reliance on Linux-based systems for scientific computing, media processing, or virtualization that utilize Intel integrated graphics are at risk of operational disruptions if unpatched. The lack of known exploits reduces immediate threat urgency, but the complexity of triggering the fault means it could be overlooked until it causes significant impact in production environments.

To mitigate CVE-2022-49723, European organizations should prioritize updating their Linux kernel to the latest stable release where the fix for the i915 error_state_read pointer offset issue has been applied. Kernel updates should be tested in staging environments to ensure compatibility with existing workloads, especially those involving GPU-intensive or concurrent reset operations. Organizations should audit systems using Intel integrated graphics and the i915 driver to identify vulnerable kernel versions. For environments where immediate kernel updates are not feasible, implementing workload scheduling to avoid concurrent GPU reset operations or reducing parallel testing that triggers engine resets can reduce the likelihood of the fault. Monitoring kernel logs (dmesg) for signs of i915-related page faults or crashes can help detect attempts to trigger the vulnerability. Additionally, organizations should ensure robust system monitoring and automated recovery mechanisms to minimize downtime from unexpected kernel panics. Collaboration with Linux distribution vendors for timely patch deployment and backporting fixes to long-term support kernels is recommended. Finally, restricting access to systems that can trigger GPU resets to trusted administrators can reduce risk of accidental or malicious exploitation.