CVE-2023-52637
📋 TL;DR
This is a use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's CAN J1939 subsystem that allows local attackers to potentially crash the kernel or execute arbitrary code. It affects systems using the CAN J1939 protocol stack when setsockopt() is called with SO_J1939_FILTER while packets are being processed. The vulnerability requires local access to the system.
💻 Affected Systems
- Linux kernel
📦 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 →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 panic leading to system crash or potential privilege escalation to kernel-level code execution, resulting in complete system compromise.
Likely Case
Kernel crash causing system instability or denial of service, requiring reboot to restore functionality.
If Mitigated
No impact if proper access controls prevent unauthorized users from using J1939 sockets or if the vulnerability is patched.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires local access and knowledge of J1939 socket programming. The race condition between setsockopt() and packet reception makes timing important.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Fixed in kernel commits: 08de58abedf6e69396e1207e4f99ef8904b2b532, 41ccb5bcbf03f02d820bc6ea8390811859f558f8, 4dd684d4bb3cd5454e0bf6e2a1bdfbd5c9c872ed, 978e50ef8c38dc71bd14d1b0143d554ff5d188ba, efe7cf828039aedb297c1f9920b638fffee6aabc
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/08de58abedf6e69396e1207e4f99ef8904b2b532
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to version containing the fix commits. 2. Check your distribution's security advisories for specific patched kernel versions. 3. Reboot the system after kernel update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable CAN J1939 module
linuxPrevent loading of the vulnerable kernel module if not required
echo 'blacklist can_j1939' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf
rmmod can_j1939
Restrict socket creation
linuxUse Linux capabilities or SELinux/AppArmor to restrict J1939 socket creation
setcap -r /path/to/application (remove CAP_NET_RAW if not needed)
Configure SELinux/AppArmor policies to deny j1939 socket operations
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict access controls to prevent unauthorized users from creating J1939 sockets
- Monitor for suspicious J1939 socket operations and kernel crash logs
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check kernel version and if can_j1939 module is loaded: uname -r && lsmod | grep j1939Check Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel version includes the fix commits or check with distribution-specific security tools📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel panic logs
- KASAN reports of use-after-free in j1939_sk_recv_match_one
- System crashes or unexpected reboots
Network Indicators:
- Unusual J1939 CAN bus traffic patterns
- Multiple setsockopt() calls on J1939 sockets
SIEM Query:
search 'kernel: BUG: KASAN: slab-use-after-free in j1939_sk_recv_match_one' OR 'kernel: Call Trace: j1939_sk_recv_match_one'🔗 References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/08de58abedf6e69396e1207e4f99ef8904b2b532
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/41ccb5bcbf03f02d820bc6ea8390811859f558f8
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/4dd684d4bb3cd5454e0bf6e2a1bdfbd5c9c872ed
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/978e50ef8c38dc71bd14d1b0143d554ff5d188ba
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/efe7cf828039aedb297c1f9920b638fffee6aabc
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/f84e7534457dcd7835be743517c35378bb4e7c50
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/fc74b9cb789cae061bbca7b203a3842e059f6b5d
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/08de58abedf6e69396e1207e4f99ef8904b2b532
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/41ccb5bcbf03f02d820bc6ea8390811859f558f8
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/4dd684d4bb3cd5454e0bf6e2a1bdfbd5c9c872ed
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/978e50ef8c38dc71bd14d1b0143d554ff5d188ba
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/efe7cf828039aedb297c1f9920b638fffee6aabc
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/f84e7534457dcd7835be743517c35378bb4e7c50
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/fc74b9cb789cae061bbca7b203a3842e059f6b5d
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2024/06/msg00017.html
