CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2023-3268NVD status: Modified

kernel: Out-of-bounds Read

Published Updated By the CyberSecBulletin desk

CVE-2023-3268 is a high-severity out-of-bounds read vulnerability in kernel from Linux, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.1 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 4.19.283, 5.4.243, 5.10.180 as the first without the flaw, so updating kernel to one of those releases or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.52% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.

Next patch cycle

High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.

What to do

  1. Update kernel to 4.19.283 or 5.4.243 or 5.10.180 or 5.15.111, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
  2. Update SIMATIC S7-1500 TM MFP - GNU/Linux subsystem to V1.1 or a later version.
  3. Update Linux Kernel to 4.19.283 or 5.4.243 or 5.10.180 or 5.15.111, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
  4. Read the advisory on lore.kernel.org for workarounds and exact fixed builds.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
Linuxkernel2.6.22 up to, but not including, 4.19.283; 4.20 up to, but not including, 5.4.243; 5.5 up to, but not including, 5.10.180; 5.11 up to, but not including, 5.15.111; 5.16 up to, but not including, 6.1.28; 6.2 up to, but not including, 6.2.15; 6.3 up to, but not including, 6.3.24.19.283, 5.4.243, 5.10.180, 5.15.111, 6.1.28, 6.2.15
SiemensSIMATIC S7-1500 TM MFP - GNU/Linux subsystembefore V1.1V1.1
LinuxLinux Kernel2.6.22 up to, but not including, 4.19.283; 4.20 up to, but not including, 5.4.243; 5.5 up to, but not including, 5.10.180; 5.11 up to, but not including, 5.15.111; 5.16 up to, but not including, 6.1.28; 6.2 up to, but not including, 6.2.15; 6.3 up to, but not including, 6.3.24.19.283, 5.4.243, 5.10.180, 5.15.111, 6.1.28, 6.2.15
DebianDebian Linux10.0; 11.0; 12.0Not 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
NoneNothing can be modified.
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:N/A:H. Scored by NVD.

Scoring systemScoreSeverityScored by
CVSS 3.17.1HighNVD
CVSS 3.17.1HighCISA (ADP)

Official description

An out of bounds (OOB) memory access flaw was found in the Linux kernel in relay_file_read_start_pos in kernel/relay.c in the relayfs. This flaw could allow a local attacker to crash the system or leak kernel internal information.

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

The underlying weakness: Out-of-bounds Read

The product reads data past the end, or before the beginning, of the intended buffer.

How developers prevent this class of flaw

  • Use a language that provides appropriate memory abstractions.

More Out-of-bounds Read vulnerabilities (CWE-125)

Timeline

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

References

Third-party and government advisories

Other vulnerabilities in kernel

All kernel vulnerabilities

Recent Out-of-bounds Read vulnerabilities

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