CVE-2022-49883 KVM: x86: smm: number of GPRs in the SMRAM image depends on the image format
A Linux kernel KVM vulnerability allows out-of-bounds memory access when handling SMRAM images on 64-bit hosts, potentially leading to code execution or denial of service.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Any signed-in user
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- Available
What is CVE-2022-49883?
CVE-2022-49883 is a high-severity memory corruption vulnerability in Linux kernel, published on 1 May 2025. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.
Official description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
KVM: x86: smm: number of GPRs in the SMRAM image depends on the image format
On 64 bit host, if the guest doesn't have X86_FEATURE_LM, KVM will access 16 gprs to 32-bit smram image, causing out-ouf-bound ram access.
On 32 bit host, the rsm_load_state_64/enter_smm_save_state_64 is compiled out, thus access overflow can't happen.
Weakness: CWE-125
Which versions are affected by CVE-2022-49883?
It affects 1 product.
Products include Linux kernel.
How do I fix CVE-2022-49883?
Apply the vendor's patch.
Upgrade to the fixed version. Memory-safe languages, compiler hardening and fuzzing prevent most new cases. More about Memory corruption.
Is CVE-2022-49883 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2022-49883 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Other vulnerabilities in Linux kernel
Sources
Also known as DEBIAN-CVE-2022-49883, GHSA-3x6x-q36v-32gj, UBUNTU-CVE-2022-49883.