CVE-2023-52735
📋 TL;DR
A stack overflow vulnerability in the Linux kernel's BPF sockmap subsystem allows recursive function calls that can crash the system. This affects Linux systems using BPF socket maps, potentially leading to denial of service or privilege escalation. All Linux distributions with vulnerable kernel versions are affected.
💻 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 →⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Kernel panic leading to system crash and denial of service, with potential for privilege escalation if combined with other vulnerabilities.
Likely Case
System crash or kernel panic causing denial of service on affected systems.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if BPF socket maps are not in use or systems are properly segmented.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires BPF socket map usage and kernel access. No public exploits known at this time.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Kernel versions containing commits 5b4a79ba65a1ab479903fff2e604865d229b70a9 and related fixes
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/5b4a79ba65a1ab479903fff2e604865d229b70a9
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to patched version from your distribution vendor. 2. Reboot system to load new kernel. 3. Verify kernel version after reboot.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable BPF socket maps
linuxPrevent usage of vulnerable BPF socket map functionality
sysctl -w net.core.bpf_jit_enable=0
Remove or disable BPF programs using socket maps
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict BPF usage to trusted users only
- Implement network segmentation to isolate systems using BPF socket maps
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check kernel version and compare with distribution's patched versions. Use 'uname -r' and check if BPF socket maps are in use.Check Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel version after update matches patched version from vendor. Check that system remains stable during BPF socket map operations.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel panic messages
- Stack overflow errors in kernel logs
- System crash/reboot events
Network Indicators:
- Sudden loss of connectivity from affected systems
SIEM Query:
source="kernel" AND ("panic" OR "stack overflow" OR "recursive") AND ("bpf" OR "sockmap")🔗 References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/5b4a79ba65a1ab479903fff2e604865d229b70a9
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/7499859881488da97589f3c79cc66fa75748ad49
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/f312367f5246e04df564d341044286e9e37a97ba
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/5b4a79ba65a1ab479903fff2e604865d229b70a9
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/7499859881488da97589f3c79cc66fa75748ad49
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/f312367f5246e04df564d341044286e9e37a97ba
