CVE-2022-49379: In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: driver core: Fix wait_for_device_probe() & deferred_probe_timeout interaction Mo...

Description

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: driver core: Fix wait_for_device_probe() & deferred_probe_timeout interaction Mounting NFS rootfs was timing out when deferred_probe_timeout was non-zero [1]. This was because ip_auto_config() initcall times out waiting for the network interfaces to show up when deferred_probe_timeout was non-zero. While ip_auto_config() calls wait_for_device_probe() to make sure any currently running deferred probe work or asynchronous probe finishes, that wasn't sufficient to account for devices being deferred until deferred_probe_timeout. Commit 35a672363ab3 ("driver core: Ensure wait_for_device_probe() waits until the deferred_probe_timeout fires") tried to fix that by making sure wait_for_device_probe() waits for deferred_probe_timeout to expire before returning. However, if wait_for_device_probe() is called from the kernel_init() context: - Before deferred_probe_initcall() [2], it causes the boot process to hang due to a deadlock. - After deferred_probe_initcall() [3], it blocks kernel_init() from continuing till deferred_probe_timeout expires and beats the point of deferred_probe_timeout that's trying to wait for userspace to load modules. Neither of this is good. So revert the changes to wait_for_device_probe(). [1] - https://lore.kernel.org/lkml/TYAPR01MB45443DF63B9EF29054F7C41FD8C60@TYAPR01MB4544.jpnprd01.prod.outlook.com/ [2] - https://lore.kernel.org/lkml/YowHNo4sBjr9ijZr@dev-arch.thelio-3990X/ [3] - https://lore.kernel.org/lkml/Yo3WvGnNk3LvLb7R@linutronix.de/

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

5.5/10

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

EPSS Probability

0.19%

8.5th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-667

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 5.7.1, < 5.10.122
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 5.11, < 5.15.47
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 5.16, < 5.17.15
Linux	Linux Kernel	>= 5.18, < 5.18.4
Linux	Linux Kernel	5.7

References

Timeline

Published: Feb 26, 2025
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Analyzed

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2022-49379?

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: driver core: Fix wait_for_device_probe() & deferred_probe_timeout interaction Mounting NFS rootfs was timing out when deferred_probe_timeout was non-zero [1]. This was because ip_auto_config() initcall times out waiting for the network interfaces to show up when deferred_probe_timeout was non-zero. While ip_auto_config() calls wait_for_device_probe() to make sure any currently running deferred probe work or asynchronous probe finishes, that wasn't sufficient to account for devices being deferred until deferred_probe_timeout. Commit 35a672363ab3 ("driver core: Ensure wait_for_device_probe() waits until the deferred_probe_timeout fires") tried to fix that by making sure wait_for_device_probe() waits for deferred_probe_timeout to expire before returning. However, if wait_for_device_probe() is called from the kernel_init() context: - Before deferred_probe_initcall() [2], it causes the boot process to hang due to a deadlock. - After deferred_probe_initcall() [3], it blocks kernel_init() from continuing till deferred_probe_timeout expires and beats the point of deferred_probe_timeout that's trying to wait for userspace to load modules. Neither of this is good. So revert the changes to wait_for_device_probe(). [1] - https://lore.kernel.org/lkml/TYAPR01MB45443DF63B9EF29054F7C41FD8C60@TYAPR01MB4544.jpnprd01.prod.outlook.com/ [2] - https://lore.kernel.org/lkml/YowHNo4sBjr9ijZr@dev-arch.thelio-3990X/ [3] - https://lore.kernel.org/lkml/Yo3WvGnNk3LvLb7R@linutronix.de/

How severe is CVE-2022-49379?

CVE-2022-49379 has a CVSS score of 5.5/10 (MEDIUM severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.19% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2022-49379?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.