Linux: NULL Pointer Dereference
CVE-2023-52883 is a high-severity NULL pointer dereference vulnerability in Linux, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.5 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, without any action from a user. The record lists versions fefac8c4686fd81fde6830c6dae32f9001d2ac28, 51b79f33817544e3b4df838d86e8e8e4388ff684 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 0.56% 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 fefac8c4686fd81fde6830c6dae32f9001d2ac28 or 51b79f33817544e3b4df838d86e8e8e4388ff684, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Update linux_kernel to fefac8c4686f or 51b79f338175, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Linux | Linux | 1802537820389183dfcd814e0f6a60d1496a75ef up to, but not including, fefac8c4686fd81fde6830c6dae32f9001d2ac28; 1802537820389183dfcd814e0f6a60d1496a75ef up to, but not including, 51b79f33817544e3b4df838d86e8e8e4388ff684; 6.4 | fefac8c4686fd81fde6830c6dae32f9001d2ac28, 51b79f33817544e3b4df838d86e8e8e4388ff684 |
| Linux | linux_kernel | 180253782038 up to, but not including, fefac8c4686f; 180253782038 up to, but not including, 51b79f338175; 6.4 | fefac8c4686f, 51b79f338175 |
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
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- NoneNo action by a victim is required.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- Confidentiality
- NoneNo data is disclosed.
- Integrity
- NoneNothing can be modified.
- Availability
- HighThe component can be taken down completely.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H. Scored by CISA (ADP).
Official description
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: drm/amdgpu: Fix possible null pointer dereference abo->tbo.resource may be NULL in amdgpu_vm_bo_update.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: NULL Pointer Dereference
The product dereferences a pointer that it expects to be valid but is NULL.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- For any pointers that could have been modified or provided from a function that can return NULL, check the pointer for NULL before use. When working with a multithreaded or otherwise asynchronous environment, ensure that proper locking APIs are used to lock before the check, and unlock when it has finished.
- Select a programming language that is not susceptible to these issues.
- Check the results of all functions that return a value and verify that the value is non-null before acting upon it.
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: yes, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Patches and release notes
Recent NULL Pointer Dereference vulnerabilities
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 9.1 Critical severity
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