CVE-2023-1079 – This CVE describes a use-after-free vulnerabili... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2023-1079?

CVE-2023-1079 has a CVSS score of 6.8 (MEDIUM). This CVE describes a use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's Asus keyboard backlight driver. When a malicious USB device posing as an Asus device is connected or disconnected, it can trigger memory corruption, potentially leading to system crashes or arbitrary code execution. This affects Linux systems with Asus hardware or drivers loaded.

📋 TL;DR

This CVE describes a use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's Asus keyboard backlight driver. When a malicious USB device posing as an Asus device is connected or disconnected, it can trigger memory corruption, potentially leading to system crashes or arbitrary code execution. This affects Linux systems with Asus hardware or drivers loaded.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Linux kernel

Versions: Linux kernel versions before commit 4ab3a086d10eeec1424f2e8a968827a6336203df (March 2023)

Operating Systems: Linux distributions with vulnerable kernel versions

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Requires Asus keyboard backlight driver (asus-kbd-backlight) to be loaded, typically on Asus hardware.

📦 What is this software?

Linux Kernel by Linux

The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...

Learn more about Linux Kernel →

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Kernel panic, system crash, or arbitrary code execution with kernel privileges leading to complete system compromise.

🟠

Likely Case

System instability, crashes, or denial of service when malicious USB devices are connected.

🟢

If Mitigated

Minimal impact if systems are patched and USB device connections are controlled.

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW - Requires physical or local USB device access, not remotely exploitable over network.

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Internal attackers with physical access could exploit via malicious USB devices.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ⚠️ Yes

Complexity: MEDIUM

Exploitation requires physical access or ability to connect malicious USB device. Similar to CVE-2023-25012 pattern.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Linux kernel with commit 4ab3a086d10eeec1424f2e8a968827a6336203df

Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/next/linux-next.git/commit/?id=4ab3a086d10eeec1424f2e8a968827a6336203df

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Update Linux kernel to version containing fix commit 2. Reboot system to load new kernel 3. Verify kernel version after reboot

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable Asus keyboard backlight module

linux

Prevent loading of vulnerable driver module

echo 'blacklist asus-kbd-backlight' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf
rmmod asus_kbd_backlight

Restrict USB device connections

all

Use USB authorization or physical security controls

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Implement strict physical security controls to prevent unauthorized USB device connections
Disable or blacklist the asus-kbd-backlight kernel module if not needed

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check kernel version and if asus-kbd-backlight module is loaded: lsmod | grep asus_kbd_backlight

Check Version:

uname -r

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify kernel version includes fix commit 4ab3a086d10eeec1424f2e8a968827a6336203df

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Kernel oops messages
System crash logs
USB device connection logs showing Asus devices

Network Indicators:

Not network exploitable

SIEM Query:

Not applicable - requires physical access

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2023-1079

CVSS v3 Score: 6.8 (MEDIUM)

CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:P/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CWE: CWE-416

Published: March 27, 2023

Last Updated: February 19, 2025

🔗 References

📤 Share & Export

📄 Export Markdown 📋 Export JSON

🔗 Related Vulnerabilities

If you're affected by CVE-2023-1079, you might also want to check these: