Use-After-Free in Linux kernel (CVE-2023-53556)
Summary
Vulnerability in Linux kernel (CVE-2023-53556). 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:
iavf: Fix use-after-free in free_netdev
We do netif_napi_add() for all allocated q_vectors[], but potentially
do netif_napi_del() for part of them, then kfree q_vectors and leave
invalid pointers at dev->napi_list.
Reproducer:
[root@host ~]# cat repro.sh
#!/bin/bash
pf_dbsf="0000:41:00.0"
vf0_dbsf="0000:41:02.0"
g_pids=()
function do_set_numvf()
{
echo 2 >/sys/bus/pci/devices/${pf_dbsf}/sriov_numvfs
sleep $((RANDOM%3+1))
echo 0 >/sys/bus/pci/devices/${pf_dbsf}/sriov_numvfs
sleep $((RANDOM%3+1))
}
function do_set_channel()
{
local nic=$(ls -1 --indicator-style=none /sys/bus/pci/devices/${vf0_dbsf}/net/)
[ -z "$nic" ] && { sleep $((RANDOM%3)) ; return 1; }
ifconfig $nic 192.168.18.5 netmask 255.255.255.0
ifconfig $nic up
ethtool -L $nic combined 1
ethtool -L $nic combined 4
sleep $((RANDOM%3))
}
function on_exit()
{
local pid
for pid in "${g_pids[@]}"; do
kill -0 "$pid" &>/dev/null && kill "$pid" &>/dev/null
done
g_pids=()
}
trap "on_exit; exit" EXIT
while :; do do_set_numvf ; done &
g_pids+=($!)
while :; do do_set_channel ; done &
g_pids+=($!)
wait
Result:
[ 4093.900222] ==================================================================
[ 4093.900230] BUG: KASAN: use-after-free in free_netdev+0x308/0x390
[ 4093.900232] Read of size 8 at addr ffff88b4dc145640 b…
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-2023-53556 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-2023-53556" on the vendor's site.
CVE-2023-53556 (Linux kernel) — CWE-416 / 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.
Use-after-free (CWE-416) 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-2023-53556 linux Fixed in: 5.10.191-1
- Ubuntu UBUNTU-CVE-2023-53556 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
- web git.kernel.org
- web git.kernel.org
- web git.kernel.org