Linux: Improper Access Control
CVE-2023-52801 is a high-severity improper access control vulnerability in Linux, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 8.8 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 836db2e7e4565d8218923b3552304a1637e2f28d, fcb32111f01ddf3cbd04644cde1773428e31de6a, e7250ab7ca4998fe026f2149805b03e09dc32498 as the first without the flaw, so updating Linux to one of those releases or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.6% 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 to 836db2e7e4565d8218923b3552304a1637e2f28d or fcb32111f01ddf3cbd04644cde1773428e31de6a or e7250ab7ca4998fe026f2149805b03e09dc32498, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Update linux_kernel to 836db2e7e456 or fcb32111f01d or e7250ab7ca49, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Linux | Linux | 51fe6141f0f64ae0bbc096a41a07572273e8c0ef up to, but not including, 836db2e7e4565d8218923b3552304a1637e2f28d; 51fe6141f0f64ae0bbc096a41a07572273e8c0ef up to, but not including, fcb32111f01ddf3cbd04644cde1773428e31de6a; 51fe6141f0f64ae0bbc096a41a07572273e8c0ef up to, but not including, e7250ab7ca4998fe026f2149805b03e09dc32498; 6.2 | 836db2e7e4565d8218923b3552304a1637e2f28d, fcb32111f01ddf3cbd04644cde1773428e31de6a, e7250ab7ca4998fe026f2149805b03e09dc32498 |
| Linux | linux_kernel | 51fe6141f0f6 up to, but not including, 836db2e7e456; 51fe6141f0f6 up to, but not including, fcb32111f01d; 51fe6141f0f6 up to, but not including, e7250ab7ca49; 6..2 | 836db2e7e456, fcb32111f01d, e7250ab7ca49 |
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
- ChangedThe attack can reach beyond the vulnerable component into other systems.
- 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:C/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by CNA.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 8.8 | High | CNA |
| CVSS 3.1 | 9.1 | Critical | CISA (ADP) |
Official description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: iommufd: Fix missing update of domains_itree after splitting iopt_area In iopt_area_split(), if the original iopt_area has filled a domain and is linked to domains_itree, pages_nodes have to be properly reinserted. Otherwise the domains_itree becomes corrupted and we will UAF.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Improper Access Control
The product does not restrict or incorrectly restricts access to a resource from an unauthorized actor.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Very carefully manage the setting, management, and handling of privileges. Explicitly manage trust zones in the software.
- Compartmentalize the system to have safe areas where trust boundaries can be unambiguously drawn. Do not allow sensitive data to go outside of the trust boundary and always be careful when interfacing with a compartment outside of the safe area. Ensure that appropriate compartmentalization is built into the system design, and the compartmentalization allows for and reinforces privilege separation functionality. Architects and designers should rely on the principle of least privilege to decide the appropriate time to use privileges and the time to drop privileges.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Patches and release notes
Recent Improper Access Control vulnerabilities
- 9.8 Critical severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 7.0 High severity
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