CVE-2022-49090
CVE-2022-49090 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Linux Linux Kernel with a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.5. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-476.
Key facts
- Severity: Medium (CVSS 3.x base score 5.5)
- EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (14th percentile)
- Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
- EU (EUVD) id: EUVD-2022-55114
- Weakness: CWE-476
- Affected product: Linux Linux Kernel
- Published:
- Last modified:
Description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: arch/arm64: Fix topology initialization for core scheduling Arm64 systems rely on store_cpu_topology() to call update_siblings_masks() to transfer the toplogy to the various cpu masks. This needs to be done before the call to notify_cpu_starting() which tells the scheduler about each cpu found, otherwise the core scheduling data structures are setup in a way that does not match the actual topology. With smt_mask not setup correctly we bail on `cpumask_weight(smt_mask) == 1` for !leaders in: notify_cpu_starting() cpuhp_invoke_callback_range() sched_cpu_starting() sched_core_cpu_starting() which leads to rq->core not being correctly set for !leader-rq's. Without this change stress-ng (which enables core scheduling in its prctl tests in newer versions -- i.e. with PR_SCHED_CORE support) causes a warning and then a crash (trimmed for legibility): [ 1853.805168] ------------[ cut here ]------------ [ 1853.809784] task_rq(b)->core != rq->core [ 1853.809792] WARNING: CPU: 117 PID: 0 at kernel/sched/fair.c:11102 cfs_prio_less+0x1b4/0x1c4 ... [ 1854.015210] Unable to handle kernel NULL pointer dereference at virtual address 0000000000000010 ... [ 1854.231256] Call trace: [ 1854.233689] pick_next_task+0x3dc/0x81c [ 1854.237512] __schedule+0x10c/0x4cc [ 1854.240988] schedule_idle+0x34/0x54
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2022-49090?
- In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: arch/arm64: Fix topology initialization for core scheduling Arm64 systems rely on store_cpu_topology() to call update_siblings_masks() to transfer the toplogy to the various cpu masks. This needs to be done before the call to notify_cpu_starting() which tells the scheduler about each cpu found, otherwise the core scheduling data structures are setup in a way that does not match the actual topology. With smt_mask not setup correctly we bail on `cpumask_weight(smt_mask) == 1` for !leaders in: notify_cpu_starting() cpuhp_invoke_callback_range() sched_cpu_starting() sched_core_cpu_starting() which leads to rq->core not being correctly set for !leader-rq's. Without this change stress-ng (which enables core scheduling in its prctl tests in newer versions -- i.e. with PR_SCHED_CORE support) causes a warning and then a crash (trimmed for legibility): [ 1853.805168] ------------[ cut here ]------------ [ 1853.809784] task_rq(b)->core != rq->core [ 1853.809792] WARNING: CPU: 117 PID: 0 at kernel/sched/fair.c:11102 cfs_prio_less+0x1b4/0x1c4 ... [ 1854.015210] Unable to handle kernel NULL pointer dereference at virtual address 0000000000000010 ... [ 1854.231256] Call trace: [ 1854.233689] pick_next_task+0x3dc/0x81c [ 1854.237512] __schedule+0x10c/0x4cc [ 1854.240988] schedule_idle+0x34/0x54
- How severe is CVE-2022-49090?
- CVE-2022-49090 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.5, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is none, integrity none, and availability high.
- Is CVE-2022-49090 being actively exploited?
- It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (14th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- What products are affected by CVE-2022-49090?
- CVE-2022-49090 primarily affects Linux Linux Kernel. In total, 2 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
- How do I fix CVE-2022-49090?
- Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
- Does CVE-2022-49090 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?
- Yes. CVE-2022-49090 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2022-55114.
- When was CVE-2022-49090 published?
- CVE-2022-49090 was published on 2025-02-26 and last updated on 2026-06-17.
References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/5524cbb1bfcdff0cad0aaa9f94e6092002a07259
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/790c1567582bda8f1153015436e3330a7c6eb278
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/87f5d66daa5f457449bb95d6b8d18bb7596aa627
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/c78a1b2d0bff678570c8dc9f14035606f5e5257d
Affected products (2)
- cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
- cpe:2.3:o:linux:linux_kernel:5.18:rc1:*:*:*:*:*:*
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