Vulnerability in Linux kernel (CVE-2023-53478)
Summary
Vulnerability in Linux kernel (CVE-2023-53478). Successful exploitation can lead to full system takeover.
Original description
The description as published by the source.
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
tracing/synthetic: Fix races on freeing last_cmd
Currently, the "last_cmd" variable can be accessed by multiple processes
asynchronously when multiple users manipulate synthetic_events node
at the same time, it could lead to use-after-free or double-free.
This patch add "lastcmd_mutex" to prevent "last_cmd" from being accessed
asynchronously.
================================================================
It's easy to reproduce in the KASAN environment by running the two
scripts below in different shells.
script 1:
while :
do
echo -n -e '\x88' > /sys/kernel/tracing/synthetic_events
done
script 2:
while :
do
echo -n -e '\xb0' > /sys/kernel/tracing/synthetic_events
done
================================================================
double-free scenario:
process A process B
1.kstrdup last_cmd
2.free last_cmd
3.free last_cmd(double-free)
================================================================
use-after-free scenario:
process A process B
1.kstrdup last_cmd
2.free last_cmd
3.tracing_log_err(use-after-free)
================================================================
Appendix 1. KASAN report d…
Source: NIST National Vulnerability Database NVD
Auto-generated summary
Assembled by SecPulse from the source data (CVSS, CWE, affected versions) using templates — no AI involved. Check the original description and references below for exact details.
A vulnerability tracked as CVE-2023-53478 has been found in Linux kernel.
Successful exploitation can lead to full system takeover. CVSS score: 7.8/10.
What to do: apply the vendor's official patched release.
If unsure, ask your IT team or search "Linux kernel CVE-2023-53478" on the vendor's site.
CVE-2023-53478 (Linux kernel) — CWE-362 / CVSS v3 7.8
Attack vector: local / no user interaction
Plan: 1) Audit SBOM/dependencies, 2) Stage→prod upgrade, 3) Add WAF/proxy monitoring on affected endpoints, 4) Hunt IOCs in logs.
Refs: see the GHSA / vendor advisory / patched release linked on this page.
A vulnerability (CWE-362) exists in Linux kernel.
Check the vendor advisory for the affected versions of Linux kernel.
Severity: High (CVSS 7.8/10). Successful exploitation can lead to full system takeover.
Update to the patched release per vendor advisory.
Until the patch is applied: disable the affected feature, apply WAF rules, or restrict access via network ACLs.
Search webserver/proxy logs for unusual request patterns matching this CVE's known IOCs. Audit SBOM/dependencies to find affected services.
Response actions
Concrete steps and command examples for SOC/SRE teams to execute in order
-
1Identify exposure identify
Audit SBOM/dependencies for affected components.資産台帳・SBOM・依存マニフェストで Linux kernel を使っているサービスとバージョンを洗い出す。
-
2Post-deployment verification verify
Confirm patched version is live in productionパッチ適用後、ステージングで PoC または同等の悪用パターンを再現して脆弱性が閉じたことを確認。本番ではアクセスログ・WAF でアラート再発が無いか継続監視。
Affected packages
Fix status by distribution
Fixed packages published by each distribution for this CVE
- Debian DEBIAN-CVE-2023-53478 linux Fixed in: 6.1.25-1
- Ubuntu UBUNTU-CVE-2023-53478 linux
References
- advisory github.com
- advisory nvd.nist.gov
- package git.kernel.org
- web git.kernel.org
- web git.kernel.org
- web git.kernel.org