CVE-2023-52777 – This CVE describes a use-after-free vulnerabili... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2023-52777?

CVE-2023-52777 has a CVSS score of 7.8 (HIGH). This CVE describes a use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's ath11k WiFi driver. The issue occurs when handling GTK (Group Temporal Key) offload status events without proper RCU (Read-Copy-Update) locking, potentially allowing attackers to crash the system or execute arbitrary code. It affects Linux systems using the ath11k driver for Qualcomm WiFi chips.

📋 TL;DR

This CVE describes a use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's ath11k WiFi driver. The issue occurs when handling GTK (Group Temporal Key) offload status events without proper RCU (Read-Copy-Update) locking, potentially allowing attackers to crash the system or execute arbitrary code. It affects Linux systems using the ath11k driver for Qualcomm WiFi chips.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Linux kernel with ath11k driver

Versions: Linux kernel versions before the fix commits (specific versions vary by distribution)

Operating Systems: Linux distributions using vulnerable kernel versions

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Only affects systems using ath11k WiFi drivers (typically for Qualcomm WiFi 6 chips). Requires ath11k module to be loaded and in use.

📦 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 →

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Kernel memory corruption leading to system crash (kernel panic) or potential arbitrary code execution with kernel privileges, resulting in complete system compromise.

🟠

Likely Case

System instability or crashes when handling WiFi authentication events, particularly in environments with frequent WiFi association/disassociation events.

🟢

If Mitigated

Minor performance impact or no impact if the vulnerable code path isn't triggered during normal operation.

🌐 Internet-Facing: MEDIUM - Requires WiFi connectivity but could potentially be exploited remotely if attacker can send crafted WiFi packets.

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Internal attackers with network access could potentially trigger the vulnerability through WiFi manipulation.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: HIGH - Requires precise timing and kernel memory manipulation knowledge

Exploitation requires triggering the specific GTK offload status event handling code path. No public exploits known at this time.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Fixed in kernel commits: 0cf7577b6b3153b4b49deea9719fe43f96469c6d and related backports

Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0cf7577b6b3153b4b49deea9719fe43f96469c6d

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Update Linux kernel to version containing the fix. 2. For distributions: Use package manager (apt/yum/dnf) to update kernel. 3. Reboot system to load new kernel. 4. Verify ath11k module is using patched code.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable ath11k WiFi

linux

Unload the vulnerable ath11k kernel module if WiFi functionality is not required

sudo modprobe -r ath11k

Use alternative WiFi driver

linux

Switch to a different WiFi adapter/driver if available

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Restrict physical and network access to prevent potential WiFi-based attacks
Implement network segmentation to isolate systems using ath11k drivers

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check if ath11k module is loaded: lsmod | grep ath11k. Check kernel version against patched versions.

Check Version:

uname -r

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify kernel version is updated and check that ath11k module loads without errors in dmesg

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Kernel panic logs
ath11k driver error messages in dmesg
WiFi authentication failures

Network Indicators:

Unusual WiFi authentication patterns
Multiple GTK offload status events

SIEM Query:

source="kernel" AND ("ath11k" OR "panic" OR "Oops")

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2023-52777

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-416

Published: May 21, 2024

Last Updated: January 14, 2025

🔗 References

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🔗 Related Vulnerabilities

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