CVE-2022-38181
CVE-2022-38181 is a high-severity vulnerability in Arm Bifrost Gpu Kernel Driver with a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8. It is listed in CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, confirming it has been exploited in the wild (added 2023-03-30). The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-416.
Key facts
- Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 8.8)
- EPSS exploit prediction: 13% (96th percentile)
- Actively exploited: Yes — listed in CISA KEV (added 2023-03-30)
- EU (EUVD) id: EUVD-2022-40775
- EU exploitation: Flagged exploited in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (since 2023-03-30)
- Weakness: CWE-416
- Affected product: Arm Bifrost Gpu Kernel Driver
- Published:
- Last modified:
Description
The Arm Mali GPU kernel driver allows unprivileged users to access freed memory because GPU memory operations are mishandled. This affects Bifrost r0p0 through r38p1, and r39p0; Valhall r19p0 through r38p1, and r39p0; and Midgard r4p0 through r32p0.
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2022-38181?
- The Arm Mali GPU kernel driver allows unprivileged users to access freed memory because GPU memory operations are mishandled. This affects Bifrost r0p0 through r38p1, and r39p0; Valhall r19p0 through r38p1, and r39p0; and Midgard r4p0 through r32p0.
- How severe is CVE-2022-38181?
- CVE-2022-38181 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
- Is CVE-2022-38181 being actively exploited?
- Yes. CVE-2022-38181 is on CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, added on 2023-03-30, which means active exploitation has been confirmed. It should be prioritised for remediation.
- What products are affected by CVE-2022-38181?
- CVE-2022-38181 primarily affects Arm Bifrost Gpu Kernel Driver. In total, 5 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
- How do I fix CVE-2022-38181?
- Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Because this CVE is known to be actively exploited, treat remediation as urgent — CISA KEV typically sets a short remediation deadline.
- Does CVE-2022-38181 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?
- Yes. CVE-2022-38181 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2022-40775. It is also flagged as exploited in the EUVD (since 2023-03-30).
- When was CVE-2022-38181 published?
- CVE-2022-38181 was published on 2022-10-25 and last updated on 2026-06-17.
References
- http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/172854/Android-Arm-Mali-GPU-Arbitrary-Code-Execution.html
- https://developer.arm.com/Arm%20Security%20Center/Mali%20GPU%20Driver%20Vulnerabilities
- https://developer.arm.com/support/arm-security-updates
- https://github.blog/2023-01-23-pwning-the-all-google-phone-with-a-non-google-bug/
- https://securitylab.github.com/advisories/GHSL-2022-054_Arm_Mali/
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2022-38181
Affected products (5)
- cpe:2.3:a:arm:bifrost_gpu_kernel_driver:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:arm:bifrost_gpu_kernel_driver:r39p0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:arm:midgard_gpu_kernel_driver:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:arm:valhall_gpu_kernel_driver:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:a:arm:valhall_gpu_kernel_driver:r39p0:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
More vulnerabilities in Arm Bifrost Gpu Kernel Driver
- CVE-2022-28349 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): Arm Mali GPU Kernel Driver has a use-after-free: Midgard r28p0 through r29p0 before r30p0, Bifrost r17p0 through r23p0…
- CVE-2022-28348 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): Arm Mali GPU Kernel Driver (Midgard r4p0 through r31p0, Bifrost r0p0 through r36p0 before r37p0, and Valhall r19p0…
- CVE-2022-46395 — High (CVSS 8.8): An issue was discovered in the Arm Mali GPU Kernel Driver. A non-privileged user can make improper GPU processing…
- CVE-2022-46891 — High (CVSS 8.8): An issue was discovered in the Arm Mali GPU Kernel Driver. There is a use-after-free. A non-privileged user can make…
- CVE-2021-29256 — High (CVSS 8.8): . The Arm Mali GPU kernel driver allows an unprivileged user to achieve access to freed memory, leading to information…
- CVE-2021-28664 — High (CVSS 8.8): The Arm Mali GPU kernel driver allows privilege escalation or a denial of service (memory corruption) because an…
All CVEs affecting Arm Bifrost Gpu Kernel Driver →
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