CVE-2023-52812 – This CVE describes an array index out-of-bounds... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2023-52812?

CVE-2023-52812 has a CVSS score of 7.8 (HIGH). This CVE describes an array index out-of-bounds vulnerability in the AMD GPU driver within the Linux kernel. When running in SR-IOV (Single Root I/O Virtualization) environments, the pcie_table->num_of_link_levels value can be 0, causing an invalid array access that could lead to kernel crashes or potential privilege escalation. This affects Linux systems with AMD GPUs using SR-IOV virtualization.

📋 TL;DR

This CVE describes an array index out-of-bounds vulnerability in the AMD GPU driver within the Linux kernel. When running in SR-IOV (Single Root I/O Virtualization) environments, the pcie_table->num_of_link_levels value can be 0, causing an invalid array access that could lead to kernel crashes or potential privilege escalation. This affects Linux systems with AMD GPUs using SR-IOV virtualization.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Linux kernel with AMD GPU driver (drm/amd)

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

Operating Systems: Linux distributions with vulnerable kernel versions

Default Config Vulnerable: ✅ No

Notes: Only vulnerable when using SR-IOV (Single Root I/O Virtualization) with AMD GPUs. Standard desktop configurations are not affected.

📦 What is this software?

Debian Linux by Debian

View all CVEs affecting Debian Linux →

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, or potential privilege escalation to kernel mode allowing full system compromise.

🟠

Likely Case

Kernel crash causing system instability or denial of service in SR-IOV environments.

🟢

If Mitigated

Limited to SR-IOV configurations; standard desktop/workstation systems without virtualization are unaffected.

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW - This is a local kernel vulnerability requiring access to the affected system.

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Affects virtualized environments with AMD GPUs; could impact cloud infrastructure or virtual desktop deployments.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: MEDIUM

Exploitation requires local access and specific SR-IOV configuration. The vulnerability is in kernel space but requires triggering the specific code path.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Linux kernel versions containing the fix commits: 09f617219fe9ccd8d7b65dc3e879b5889f663b5a, 2f2d48b6247ae3001f83c98730b3cce475cb2927, 406e8845356d18bdf3d3a23b347faf67706472ec, 5b4574b663d0a1a0a62d5232429b7db9ae6d0670

Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/09f617219fe9ccd8d7b65dc3e879b5889f663b5a

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 package. 3. Reboot system to load new kernel.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable SR-IOV for AMD GPUs

linux

If SR-IOV functionality is not required, disable it to prevent triggering the vulnerable code path.

echo 0 > /sys/class/drm/card*/device/sriov_numvfs

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Disable SR-IOV functionality on affected AMD GPU systems
Restrict access to systems with vulnerable configurations to trusted users only

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check kernel version and if SR-IOV is enabled: 'uname -r' and check for AMD GPU SR-IOV configuration

Check Version:

uname -r

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify kernel version is updated and contains the fix commits: 'uname -r' and check kernel changelog

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Kernel panic messages
AMD GPU driver crash logs
System instability in SR-IOV environments

Network Indicators:

None - this is a local kernel vulnerability

SIEM Query:

Search for kernel panic events or AMD GPU driver crashes in system logs

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2023-52812

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-129

Published: May 21, 2024

Last Updated: November 25, 2025

🔗 References

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🔗 Related Vulnerabilities

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