linux: Out-of-bounds Read
CVE-2023-6040 is a high-severity out-of-bounds read vulnerability in linux from The Linux Kernel Organization, 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 version 5.18-rc1 as the first without the flaw, so updating linux to that release or later removes the exposure. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.31% 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 5.18-rc1 or a later version.
- Update Linux Kernel to 4.19.305 or 5.4.267 or 5.10.208 or 5.15.147, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Linux Kernel Organization | linux | before 5.18-rc1 | 5.18-rc1 |
| Linux | Linux Kernel | 4.16 up to, but not including, 4.19.305; 4.20 up to, but not including, 5.4.267; 5.5 up to, but not including, 5.10.208; 5.11 up to, but not including, 5.15.147; 5.16 up to, but not including, 5.18 | 4.19.305, 5.4.267, 5.10.208, 5.15.147, 5.18 |
| Debian | Debian Linux | 10.0 | Not 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.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.8 | High | CNA (ubuntu.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.8 | High | NVD |
Official description
An out-of-bounds access vulnerability involving netfilter was reported and fixed as: f1082dd31fe4 (netfilter: nf_tables: Reject tables of unsupported family); While creating a new netfilter table, lack of a safeguard against invalid nf_tables family (pf) values within `nf_tables_newtable` function enables an attacker to achieve out-of-bounds access.
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.
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
- openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2024/01/12/1Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
Third-party and government advisories
- packetstormsecurity.com/files/177029/Kernel-Live-Patch-Security-Notice-LSN-0100-1.htmlThird Party Advisory, VDB Entry
- cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2023-6040Third Party Advisory
- lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2024/06/msg00016.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
- lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2024/06/msg00020.htmlMailing List, Third Party Advisory
- openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2024/01/12/1Mailing List, Third Party Advisory
Other vulnerabilities in linux
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
Linux Kernel Use-After-Free Exploited
Recent Out-of-bounds Read vulnerabilities
- 9.6 Critical severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.5 High severity
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