Critical Linux Kernel Security Update: Live Patch 67 for SLE 12 SP5 (CVE-2022-49179 Fix)

 

SUSE has released Live Patch 67 for SLE 12 SP5, fixing CVE-2022-49179 (CVSS 8.5), a high-severity Linux Kernel vulnerability. Learn patch instructions, affected systems, and security implications for SUSE Linux Enterprise Server, HPC, and SAP.

Why This Update Matters

A newly patched Linux Kernel vulnerability (CVE-2022-49179) poses critical risks, including privilege escalation and denial-of-service (DoS) attacks. This SUSE security update (SUSE-SU-2025:02137-1) addresses a flaw in the BFQ I/O scheduler, preventing OOM (Out-of-Memory) exploits.

Key Risks Mitigated:

• CVSS 8.5 (SUSE 4.0 Scale): Local attackers could crash systems or gain elevated privileges.

• Enterprise Impact: Affects SUSE Linux Enterprise 12 SP5, including HPC, SAP, and Live Patching deployments.

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Patch Details & Installation Guide

Affected Products

• SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 12 SP5

• SUSE Linux Enterprise High Performance Computing (HPC) 12 SP5

• SUSE Linux Enterprise Live Patching 12-SP5

• SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for SAP Applications 12 SP5

How to Apply the Update

1. Recommended Method:

   • Use YaST Online Update or run:

     bash

     zypper patch

2. Manual Patch (Live Patching 12-SP5):

   bash

   zypper in -t patch SUSE-SLE-Live-Patching-12-SP5-2025-2137=1

Post-Installation Verification:

• Confirm the patch is active:

  bash

  uname -r  # Should show 4.12.14-122_255-default

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Technical Deep Dive: CVE-2022-49179

Vulnerability Breakdown

• CVE ID: CVE-2022-49179

• Bug Reference: bsc#1241331

• CVSS Scores:

  • SUSE 4.0: 8.5 (High) – Exploitable locally with low complexity.

  • NVD 3.1: 7.8 (High) – Impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

Root Cause:
A flaw in the BFQ (Budget Fair Queueing) scheduler allowed malicious processes to manipulate oom_bfqq, triggering system instability.

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Security Best Practices for Linux Admins

1. Prioritize Patch Deployment: 90% of Linux exploits target unpatched CVEs (Per SUSE Security Report 2025).

2. Monitor Kernel Logs:

   bash

   journalctl -k --since "2025-06-26" | grep -i "bfq"

3. Defense-in-Depth: Combine patches with SELinux/AppArmor to restrict I/O operations.

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FAQ: Linux Kernel Live Patching

Q: Can I delay this update if my system isn’t internet-facing?

A: No. CVE-2022-49179 is exploitable by local users—patch immediately.

Q: Does this affect Kubernetes or cloud workloads?

A: Only if nodes run unpatched SUSE 12 SP5 kernels. Check your host OS.