CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2023-0179NVD status: Modified

kernel: Integer Overflow or Wraparound

Published Updated By the CyberSecBulletin desk

CVE-2023-0179 is a high-severity integer overflow or wraparound vulnerability in kernel, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 out of 10. It can be exploited with local access to the system by an attacker with a low-privileged account, without any action from a user. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 1.94% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 81% of scored CVEs.

Next patch cycle

High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.

What to do

  1. Update Linux Kernel to 5.10.164 or 5.15.89 or 6.1.7, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
KernelkernelNot specified in the recordNot stated
LinuxLinux Kernel5.5.0 up to, but not including, 5.10.164; 5.11 up to, but not including, 5.15.89; 5.16 up to, but not including, 6.1.75.10.164, 5.15.89, 6.1.7
CanonicalUbuntu Linux16.04; 18.04; 20.04; 22.04Not stated
Fedora ProjectFedora36; 37Not stated
Red HatEnterprise Linux9.0Not stated
Red HatEnterprise Linux EUS9.0Not stated
Red HatEnterprise Linux For IBM Z Systems9.0Not stated
Red HatEnterprise Linux For Power Little Endian9.0Not stated
Red HatEnterprise Linux For Power Little Endian EUS9.0Not stated
Red HatEnterprise Linux For Real Time9.0Not stated
Red HatEnterprise Linux For Real Time For Nfv9.0Not stated
Red HatEnterprise Linux Server9.0Not stated
Red HatEnterprise Linux Server For Power Little Endian Update Services For SAP Solutions9.0Not stated
Red HatCodeready Linux BuilderNot specified in the recordNot stated

Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.

How the severity score breaks down

Attack vector
LocalThe attacker needs local access or must trick a user into running something.
Attack complexity
LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
Privileges required
LowA basic user account is enough.
User interaction
NoneNo action by a victim is required.
Scope
UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
Confidentiality
HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
Integrity
HighData or code can be modified at will.
Availability
HighThe component can be taken down completely.

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.

Official description

A buffer overflow vulnerability was found in the Netfilter subsystem in the Linux Kernel. This issue could allow the leakage of both stack and heap addresses, and potentially allow Local Privilege Escalation to the root user via arbitrary code execution.

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: Integer Overflow or Wraparound

The product performs a calculation that can produce an integer overflow or wraparound when the logic assumes that the resulting value will always be larger than the original value. This occurs when an integer value is incremented to a value that is too large to store in the associated representation. When this occurs, the value may become a very small or negative number.

How developers prevent this class of flaw

  • Ensure that all protocols are strictly defined, such that all out-of-bounds behavior can be identified simply, and require strict conformance to the protocol.
  • Use a language that does not allow this weakness to occur or provides constructs that make this weakness easier to avoid. If possible, choose a language or compiler that performs automatic bounds checking.
  • Use a vetted library or framework that does not allow this weakness to occur or provides constructs that make this weakness easier to avoid. Use libraries or frameworks that make it easier to handle numbers without unexpected consequences. Examples include safe integer handling packages such as SafeInt (C++) or IntegerLib (C or C++).

More Integer Overflow or Wraparound vulnerabilities (CWE-190)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Third-party and government advisories

Technical write-ups (may include proof of concept)

Other vulnerabilities in kernel

All kernel vulnerabilities

Recent Integer Overflow or Wraparound vulnerabilities

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