CVE-2023-52789
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a NULL pointer dereference vulnerability in the Linux kernel's vcc driver. If kstrdup() fails during vcc_probe(), the system could crash or become unstable. This affects Linux systems using the vcc tty 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 →⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Kernel panic leading to system crash and denial of service
Likely Case
System instability or crash when vcc driver initialization fails
If Mitigated
Minor system disruption during driver initialization failures
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires local access and ability to trigger vcc driver initialization failure
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Kernel versions with commits 38cd56fc9de78bf3c878790785e8c231116ef9d3 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/38cd56fc9de78bf3c878790785e8c231116ef9d3
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to patched version. 2. Reboot system. 3. Verify kernel version with 'uname -r'
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable vcc driver
linuxPrevent loading of vulnerable vcc driver module
echo 'blacklist vcc' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf
rmmod vcc
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Ensure vcc driver is not loaded (check with 'lsmod | grep vcc')
- Restrict local access to prevent triggering driver initialization
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check kernel version and if vcc module is loaded: 'uname -r' and 'lsmod | grep vcc'Check Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel version is patched and vcc module functions normally📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel panic messages
- NULL pointer dereference errors in dmesg
- vcc driver initialization failures
Network Indicators:
- None - local vulnerability
SIEM Query:
Search for 'kernel panic' or 'NULL pointer dereference' in system logs🔗 References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/38cd56fc9de78bf3c878790785e8c231116ef9d3
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/460284dfb10b207980c6f3f7046e33446ceb38ac
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/4a24a31826246b15477399febd13292b0c9f0ee9
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/4ef41a7f33ffe1a335e7db7e1564ddc6afad47cc
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/6c80f48912b5bd4965352d1a9a989e21743a4a06
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/7cebc86481bf16049e266f6774d90f2fd4f8d5d2
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/8f8771757b130383732195497e47fba2aba76d3a
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/909963e0c16778cec28efb1affc21558825f4200
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/d81ffb87aaa75f842cd7aa57091810353755b3e6
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/38cd56fc9de78bf3c878790785e8c231116ef9d3
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/460284dfb10b207980c6f3f7046e33446ceb38ac
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/4a24a31826246b15477399febd13292b0c9f0ee9
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/4ef41a7f33ffe1a335e7db7e1564ddc6afad47cc
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/6c80f48912b5bd4965352d1a9a989e21743a4a06
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/7cebc86481bf16049e266f6774d90f2fd4f8d5d2
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/8f8771757b130383732195497e47fba2aba76d3a
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/909963e0c16778cec28efb1affc21558825f4200
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/d81ffb87aaa75f842cd7aa57091810353755b3e6
