CVE-2023-52703
📋 TL;DR
This CVE involves an uninitialized variable being passed to error handling code in the Linux kernel's Kalmia USB network driver. The vulnerability could lead to kernel memory disclosure or system instability when USB bulk transfer errors occur. It affects Linux systems using the kalmia USB network driver.
💻 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 →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 memory disclosure leading to information leakage, potential privilege escalation, or system crash/panic.
Likely Case
Kernel warning messages, system instability, or denial of service when USB network devices encounter errors.
If Mitigated
Minor system logging or no impact if error conditions don't occur.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires triggering specific USB bulk transfer error conditions and local access to USB device. Reported by syzbot fuzzer.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Patched in Linux kernel stable releases (commits: 02df3170c04a, 1b5de7d44890, 338f826d3afe, 525bdcb0838d, 723ef7b66f37)
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/02df3170c04a8356cd571ab9155a42f030190abc
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to patched version from official kernel.org or distribution repositories. 2. Reboot system to load new kernel.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable kalmia USB driver
linuxPrevent loading of vulnerable kalmia USB network driver module
echo 'blacklist kalmia' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf
rmmod kalmia
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Avoid using USB network devices that use kalmia driver
- Monitor system logs for kernel warnings related to USB bulk transfers
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if kalmia module is loaded: lsmod | grep kalmia. Check kernel version against patched releases.Check Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel version includes patched commits. Check that kalmia module functions without error.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel warnings about uninitialized variables in kalmia_send_init_packet
- USB bulk transfer error messages
- Kernel oops or panic related to USB networking
Network Indicators:
- USB network device connectivity issues
SIEM Query:
kernel: *kalmia* OR *usb_bulk_msg* error OR uninitialized🔗 References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/02df3170c04a8356cd571ab9155a42f030190abc
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/1b5de7d44890b78519acbcc80d8d1f23ff2872e5
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/338f826d3afead6e4df521f7972a4bef04a72efb
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/525bdcb0838d19d918c7786151ee14661967a030
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/723ef7b66f37c0841f5a451ccbce47ee1641e081
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/a753352622b4f3c0219e0e9c73114b2848ae6042
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/c68f345b7c425b38656e1791a0486769a8797016
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/02df3170c04a8356cd571ab9155a42f030190abc
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/1b5de7d44890b78519acbcc80d8d1f23ff2872e5
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/338f826d3afead6e4df521f7972a4bef04a72efb
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/525bdcb0838d19d918c7786151ee14661967a030
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/723ef7b66f37c0841f5a451ccbce47ee1641e081
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/a753352622b4f3c0219e0e9c73114b2848ae6042
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/c68f345b7c425b38656e1791a0486769a8797016
