Linux Kernel: Use After Free
CVE-2023-1281 is a high-severity use after free vulnerability in Linux Kernel from Linux, 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. The record lists versions 5.10.169, 5.15.95, 6.1.13 as the first without the flaw, so updating Linux Kernel to one of those releases or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.3% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Update Linux Kernel to 5.10.169 or 5.15.95 or 6.1.13, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Read the advisory on git.kernel.org for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Linux | Linux Kernel | 4.14.0 up to, but not including, 5.10.169; 5.11.0 up to, but not including, 5.15.95; 5.16.0 up to, but not including, 6.1.13 | 5.10.169, 5.15.95, 6.1.13 |
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.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.8 | High | CNA (google.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.8 | High | NVD |
Official description
Use After Free vulnerability in Linux kernel traffic control index filter (tcindex) allows Privilege Escalation. The imperfect hash area can be updated while packets are traversing, which will cause a use-after-free when 'tcf_exts_exec()' is called with the destroyed tcf_ext. A local attacker user can use this vulnerability to elevate its privileges to root. This issue affects Linux Kernel: from 4.14 before git commit ee059170b1f7e94e55fa6cadee544e176a6e59c2.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Use After Free
The product reuses or references memory after it has been freed. At some point afterward, the memory may be allocated again and saved in another pointer, while the original pointer references a location somewhere within the new allocation. Any operations using the original pointer are no longer valid because the memory belongs to the code that operates on the new pointer.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Choose a language that provides automatic memory management.
- When freeing pointers, be sure to set them to NULL once they are freed. However, the utilization of multiple or complex data structures may lower the usefulness of this strategy.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
Third-party and government advisories
- lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2023/05/msg00005.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
- lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2023/05/msg00006.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
- security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20230427-0004/Third Party Advisory
Other references
- openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2023/04/11/3Mailing List
Other vulnerabilities in Linux Kernel
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 7.0 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 7.0 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
Recent Use After Free vulnerabilities
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
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