CVE-2023-52612 – This CVE describes a buffer overflow vulnerabil... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2023-52612?

CVE-2023-52612 has a CVSS score of 7.8 (HIGH). This CVE describes a buffer overflow vulnerability in the Linux kernel's crypto scomp subsystem. Attackers could exploit this to write beyond allocated memory boundaries, potentially leading to system crashes or arbitrary code execution. All Linux systems using the affected kernel versions with crypto scomp functionality are vulnerable.

📋 TL;DR

This CVE describes a buffer overflow vulnerability in the Linux kernel's crypto scomp subsystem. Attackers could exploit this to write beyond allocated memory boundaries, potentially leading to system crashes or arbitrary code execution. All Linux systems using the affected kernel versions with crypto scomp functionality are vulnerable.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Linux kernel

Versions: Specific affected versions not specified in CVE description; check kernel commit history for exact ranges

Operating Systems: Linux distributions using vulnerable kernel versions

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Requires crypto scomp subsystem to be enabled/used. Most modern Linux distributions include this functionality.

📦 What is this software?

Debian Linux by Debian

View all CVEs affecting Debian Linux →

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 →

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

Kernel-level arbitrary code execution leading to complete system compromise, data theft, or persistent backdoor installation.

🟠

Likely Case

Kernel panic or system crash causing denial of service, potentially leading to data corruption or system instability.

🟢

If Mitigated

System remains stable with no impact if the vulnerability is not triggered or proper memory protections are in place.

🌐 Internet-Facing: MEDIUM - Requires local access or ability to trigger crypto operations, but could be combined with other vulnerabilities for remote exploitation.

🏢 Internal Only: HIGH - Local attackers or malicious users could exploit this to escalate privileges or crash systems.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: MEDIUM

Exploitation requires local access and ability to trigger specific crypto operations. No public exploits known at this time.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Kernel versions with commits: 1142d65c5b881590962ad763f94505b6dd67d2fe, 4518dc468cdd796757190515a9be7408adc8911e, 4df0c942d04a67df174195ad8082f6e30e7f71a5, 71c6670f9f032ec67d8f4e3f8db4646bf5a62883, 744e1885922a9943458954cfea917b31064b4131

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

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Update Linux kernel to patched version from your distribution's repositories. 2. Reboot system to load new kernel. 3. Verify kernel version after reboot.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable crypto scomp module

linux

Prevent loading of vulnerable crypto scomp module if not required

echo 'blacklist crypto_scomp' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf
rmmod crypto_scomp

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Restrict local user access to systems using strict privilege separation
Implement kernel memory protection mechanisms like KASLR and stack canaries

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check kernel version and compare with patched versions from kernel git commits

Check Version:

uname -r

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify kernel version matches patched version and check that crypto scomp functions properly

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Kernel panic logs
OOM killer messages related to crypto
System crash dumps

Network Indicators:

None - local vulnerability only

SIEM Query:

Search for kernel panic events or abnormal system crashes in system logs

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2023-52612

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-120

Published: March 18, 2024

Last Updated: February 27, 2025

🔗 References

📤 Share & Export

📄 Export Markdown 📋 Export JSON

🔗 Related Vulnerabilities

If you're affected by CVE-2023-52612, you might also want to check these: