CVE-2022-38181
Confirmed PUBLISHEDThe Arm Mali GPU kernel driver allows unprivileged users to access freed memory because GPU memory operations are mishandled. This affects Bifrost...
Recommended Action
Prioritize remediation. Validate affected assets and apply vendor fixes on an accelerated timeline.
At a Glance
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.
- CVE Published
- Oct 25, 2022
- Exploitation Reported
- Mar 30, 2023
- CVSS
- 8.8 High
- EPSS
- —
Affected Versions
| Vendor | Product | Version | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| n/a |
n/a
|
n/a |
Affected |
CVE References
- developer.arm.com/support/arm-security-updates developer.arm.com · CVE Record https://developer.arm.com/support/arm-security-updates
- developer.arm.com/Arm%20Security%20Center/Mali%20GPU%20Driver%... developer.arm.com · CVE Record https://developer.arm.com/Arm%20Security%20Center/Mali%20GPU%20Driver...
- github.blog/2023-01-23-pwning-the-all-google-phone-with-... github.blog · CVE Record https://github.blog/2023-01-23-pwning-the-all-google-phone-with-a-non...
- securitylab.github.com/advisories/GHSL-2022-054_Arm_Mali securitylab.github.com · CVE Record https://securitylab.github.com/advisories/GHSL-2022-054_Arm_Mali/
- packetstormsecurity.com/files/172854/Android-Arm-Mali-GPU-Arbitrary-... packetstormsecurity.com · CVE Record http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/172854/Android-Arm-Mali-GPU-Arbi...
Recommended Actions
- Prioritize remediation. Validate affected assets and apply vendor fixes on an accelerated timeline.
- Check enrichment artifacts for scanner coverage and available PoCs before rolling remediation validation.
- Use the Pro API to automate enrichment, telemetry, and workflow delivery for VM, SOC, and CTI pipelines.
Known Exploited Vulnerability Sources
Catalogues that list this CVE as a known exploited vulnerability.
Per-source evidence links for KEV attestations are available through the KEVIntel Pro API.
Learn about Pro API access| Source | Added |
|---|---|
| CISA First | 2023-03-30 00:00 UTC |
No detection artifacts or sensor request patterns are available for this CVE yet.
Check back as sensor telemetry and scanner integrations are updated.
Virtual Patch
Compensating WAF rules to help reduce exposure to this CVE. Rule content and deployable vendor exports are available with KEVIntel Enterprise.
KEVIntel does not currently have a virtual patch for this CVE. When available, KEVIntel virtual patches ship as deployable ModSecurity, Cloudflare, and AWS WAF rules.
Enterprise feature. Virtual patch rule content and deployable vendor exports (ModSecurity, Cloudflare, AWS WAF) are available to KEVIntel Enterprise users.
CVSS Scores
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Exploitation Status
Exploited in the wild
Recorded 2023-03-30 00:00:00 UTC · CISA
Proof of concept available
Recorded 2023-05-12 13:50:54 UTC · GitHub
Weaknesses (CWE)
-
Use After Free
Scanner Integrations
| Scanner | Reference | Detected |
|---|---|---|
| Nessus | https://www.tenable.com/plugins/nessus/178125 | Jun 02, 2025 |
Potential Proof of Concepts
These PoCs are unverified and could contain malware. Use at your own risk.
github · Created 2023-05-12 13:50:54 UTC · 2 stars
Timeline
Key exploitation, disclosure, scanner coverage, and KEV attestation events for this CVE.
-
09:27 UTC about 1 year ago09:27 UTC · about 1 year ago
Nessus plugin available
Scanner coverage available
-
13:50 UTC about 3 years ago13:50 UTC · about 3 years ago
Public PoC available
Public proof-of-concept code published
-
00:00 UTC over 3 years ago00:00 UTC · over 3 years ago
Added to CISA KEV
Listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog
-
00:00 UTC over 3 years ago00:00 UTC · over 3 years ago
CVE published
Vulnerability disclosed publicly
-
00:00 UTC almost 4 years ago00:00 UTC · almost 4 years ago
CVE ID reserved
Identifier reserved by the CNA
Automate This Intelligence with the Pro API
Confidence scoring, exploit status, sensor telemetry, PoCs, scanner integrations, mentions, and tags are available programmatically for VM, SOC, and CTI workflows.
Pro API Example
GET /api/v2/pro/kevs/CVE-2022-38181
{
"cve_id": "CVE-2022-38181",
"title": "The Arm Mali GPU kernel driver allows unprivileged users to access freed memo...",
"affected_vendor": "Arm",
"affected_product": "Mali GPU kernel driver",
"affected_versions": [
{ "vendor": "...", "product": "...", "status": "affected", "display_label": "..." }
],
"confidence": "Confirmed",
"cvss_score": 8.8,
"epss_score": null,
"exploit_status": {
"exploited_in_the_wild": true,
"active_exploitation_observed": false
},
"sensor_telemetry": { "...": "Pro API fields" },
"proof_of_concepts": [ "..." ],
"scanner_integrations": [ "..." ]
}