CVE-2023-52491 – A use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux ker... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2023-52491?

CVE-2023-52491 has a CVSS score of 7.8 (HIGH). A use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's MediaTek JPEG decoder driver allows local attackers to potentially crash the system or execute arbitrary code. This affects Linux systems using the mtk-jpeg driver for hardware-accelerated JPEG decoding. Attackers need local access to trigger the vulnerability.

📋 TL;DR

A use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's MediaTek JPEG decoder driver allows local attackers to potentially crash the system or execute arbitrary code. This affects Linux systems using the mtk-jpeg driver for hardware-accelerated JPEG decoding. Attackers need local access to trigger the vulnerability.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Linux kernel with MediaTek JPEG decoder driver (mtk-jpeg)

Versions: Linux kernel versions before the fix commits (specific versions vary by distribution)

Operating Systems: Linux distributions using affected kernel versions

Default Config Vulnerable: ✅ No

Notes: Only vulnerable if the mtk-jpeg driver is loaded and in use (typically on MediaTek-based devices).

📦 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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

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

Local privilege escalation to kernel-level code execution, potentially leading to full system compromise.

🟠

Likely Case

Kernel panic or system crash causing denial of service.

🟢

If Mitigated

System remains stable with proper patching; no impact if driver not loaded.

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW - Requires local access to trigger.

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Local users or compromised accounts could exploit this.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: MEDIUM

Requires local access and knowledge of triggering the error path in the driver.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Fixed in kernel commits: 1b1036c60a37a30caf6759a90fe5ecd06ec35590, 206c857dd17d4d026de85866f1b5f0969f2a109e, 43872f44eee6c6781fea1348b38885d8e78face9, 6e2f37022f0fc0893da4d85a0500c9d547fffd4c, 8254d54d00eb6cdb8367399c7f912eb8d354ecd7

Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/1b1036c60a37a30caf6759a90fe5ecd06ec35590

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Update Linux kernel to version containing the fix commits. 2. Reboot system to load patched kernel.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Unload mtk-jpeg driver

linux

Prevent driver loading to eliminate vulnerability surface

sudo rmmod mtk_jpeg

Blacklist driver module

linux

Prevent automatic loading of vulnerable driver

echo 'blacklist mtk_jpeg' | sudo tee /etc/modprobe.d/mtk_jpeg-blacklist.conf

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Restrict local user access to systems using the vulnerable driver
Monitor for system crashes or kernel panics as potential exploitation indicators

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check if mtk-jpeg driver is loaded: lsmod | grep mtk_jpeg

Check Version:

uname -r

Verify Fix Applied:

Check kernel version against patched versions from your distribution, and verify driver is not causing crashes

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Kernel panic logs
System crash dumps
Driver error messages in dmesg

Network Indicators:

None - local vulnerability only

SIEM Query:

Search for kernel panic or system crash events from affected hosts

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2023-52491

CVSS v3 Score: 7.8 (HIGH)

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

CWE: CWE-416

Published: March 11, 2024

Last Updated: December 12, 2024

🔗 References

📤 Share & Export

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🔗 Related Vulnerabilities

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