CVE-2023-52798
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's ath11k WiFi driver where DFS radar event handling code fails to properly use RCU (Read-Copy-Update) locking. This could allow attackers to cause kernel memory corruption, potentially leading to system crashes or privilege escalation. Systems using affected Linux kernel versions with ath11k WiFi hardware are vulnerable.
💻 Affected Systems
- Linux kernel with ath11k WiFi driver
📦 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 →⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Kernel panic leading to denial of service, or potential privilege escalation allowing attackers to gain root access and execute arbitrary code.
Likely Case
System instability, kernel crashes, or denial of service affecting WiFi functionality.
If Mitigated
Minimal impact if systems are properly segmented and don't expose WiFi interfaces to untrusted networks.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires WiFi access and triggering DFS radar events. No public exploit code is known, but the vulnerability type (use-after-free) is commonly exploitable.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Fixed in kernel commits: 1fd878e1750190a612b5de2af357cca422ec0822, 21ebb0aba580d347e12f01ce5f6e75044427b3d5, 3b6c14833165f689cc5928574ebafe52bbce5f1e, 426e718ce9ba60013364a54233feee309356cb82, ca420ac4f9451f22347bae44b18ab47ba2c267ec
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/1fd878e1750190a612b5de2af357cca422ec0822
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to version containing the fix commits. 2. For distributions: Use package manager (apt/yum/dnf) to update kernel. 3. Reboot system to load new kernel.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable ath11k driver
linuxRemove or blacklist the ath11k driver module to prevent loading
echo 'blacklist ath11k' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist-ath11k.conf
rmmod ath11k
update-initramfs -u
Disable WiFi interface
linuxTurn off WiFi functionality if not required
ip link set wlan0 down
rfkill block wifi
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Segment WiFi networks from critical systems and implement strict network access controls
- Monitor systems for kernel panics or unusual WiFi driver behavior and implement immediate incident response procedures
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if ath11k module is loaded: lsmod | grep ath11k AND check kernel version against patched versionsCheck Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel version includes fix commits and ath11k module loads without errors in dmesg📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel oops messages
- ath11k driver crash logs in dmesg
- System crashes/reboots
Network Indicators:
- Unusual WiFi disconnections
- DFS radar event anomalies
SIEM Query:
source="kernel" AND ("ath11k" OR "use-after-free" OR "kernel panic")🔗 References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/1fd878e1750190a612b5de2af357cca422ec0822
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/21ebb0aba580d347e12f01ce5f6e75044427b3d5
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/3b6c14833165f689cc5928574ebafe52bbce5f1e
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/426e718ce9ba60013364a54233feee309356cb82
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/ca420ac4f9451f22347bae44b18ab47ba2c267ec
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/f882f51905517575c9f793a3dff567af90ef9a10
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/1fd878e1750190a612b5de2af357cca422ec0822
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/21ebb0aba580d347e12f01ce5f6e75044427b3d5
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/3b6c14833165f689cc5928574ebafe52bbce5f1e
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/426e718ce9ba60013364a54233feee309356cb82
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/ca420ac4f9451f22347bae44b18ab47ba2c267ec
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/f882f51905517575c9f793a3dff567af90ef9a10
