CVE-2023-52762
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes an integer overflow vulnerability in the Linux kernel's virtio-blk driver. When virtio_max_dma_size() returns a value larger than U32_MAX (4GB), the implicit conversion to u32 causes overflow, potentially leading to incorrect memory allocation or system instability. This affects systems using virtio-blk storage with Linux kernels containing the vulnerable code.
💻 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 →⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
System crash, kernel panic, or memory corruption leading to denial of service or potential privilege escalation if combined with other vulnerabilities.
Likely Case
System instability, crashes, or unexpected behavior when virtio-blk devices attempt to handle DMA transfers larger than 4GB.
If Mitigated
Minimal impact if systems don't use virtio-blk or handle DMA transfers under 4GB limit.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires local access and specific virtio-blk usage patterns. No public exploits known at this time.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Kernel versions containing fixes from git commits: 017278f141141367f7d14b203e930b45b6ffffb9, 472bd4787406bef2e8b41ee4c74d960a06a49a48, 72775cad7f572bb2501f9ea609e1d20e68f0b38b, d667fe301dcbcb12d1d6494fc4b8abee2cb75d90, fafb51a67fb883eb2dde352539df939a251851be
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/017278f141141367f7d14b203e930b45b6ffffb9
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
Limit virtio-blk DMA size
linuxConfigure virtio-blk to use DMA transfers under 4GB limit
echo 'options virtio_blk max_dma_size=4294967295' > /etc/modprobe.d/virtio-blk.conf
update-initramfs -u
reboot
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Disable virtio-blk driver if not required
- Use alternative storage drivers (like virtio-scsi) instead of virtio-blk
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check kernel version and verify if virtio-blk module is loaded: lsmod | grep virtio_blkCheck Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Check kernel version after update matches patched version from git commits📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel panic logs
- System crash dumps
- Virtio-blk driver error messages in dmesg
Network Indicators:
- None - this is a local driver vulnerability
SIEM Query:
search 'kernel panic' OR 'virtio_blk' OR 'DMA overflow' in system logs🔗 References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/017278f141141367f7d14b203e930b45b6ffffb9
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/472bd4787406bef2e8b41ee4c74d960a06a49a48
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/72775cad7f572bb2501f9ea609e1d20e68f0b38b
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/d667fe301dcbcb12d1d6494fc4b8abee2cb75d90
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/fafb51a67fb883eb2dde352539df939a251851be
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/017278f141141367f7d14b203e930b45b6ffffb9
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/472bd4787406bef2e8b41ee4c74d960a06a49a48
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/72775cad7f572bb2501f9ea609e1d20e68f0b38b
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/d667fe301dcbcb12d1d6494fc4b8abee2cb75d90
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/fafb51a67fb883eb2dde352539df939a251851be
