CVE-2023-52818 – This CVE is an array index out-of-bounds vulner... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2023-52818?

CVE-2023-52818 has a CVSS score of 7.8 (HIGH). This CVE is an array index out-of-bounds vulnerability in the AMD GPU driver for SMU7 power management in the Linux kernel. It allows local attackers to potentially cause kernel crashes or execute arbitrary code by triggering undefined behavior. Systems running affected Linux kernel versions with AMD SMU7 GPUs are vulnerable.

📋 TL;DR

This CVE is an array index out-of-bounds vulnerability in the AMD GPU driver for SMU7 power management in the Linux kernel. It allows local attackers to potentially cause kernel crashes or execute arbitrary code by triggering undefined behavior. Systems running affected Linux kernel versions with AMD SMU7 GPUs are vulnerable.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Linux kernel with AMD GPU driver (amdgpu)

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

Operating Systems: Linux distributions with affected kernel versions

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Only affects systems with AMD SMU7 GPUs (Southern Islands/GCN 1.0 architecture). Requires the amdgpu driver to be loaded.

📦 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

Local privilege escalation to kernel-level code execution, potentially leading to full system compromise.

🟠

Likely Case

Kernel panic or system crash causing denial of service.

🟢

If Mitigated

No impact if kernel patches are applied or vulnerable GPU drivers are not loaded.

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW - Requires local access to the system.

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Local users or compromised accounts could exploit this vulnerability.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: MEDIUM

Requires local access and knowledge of triggering the specific UBSAN array bounds condition. No public exploits known at this time.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Linux kernel versions containing commits 6dffdddfca818c02a42b6caa1d9845995f0a1f94 or later

Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/6dffdddfca818c02a42b6caa1d9845995f0a1f94

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Update Linux kernel to patched version from your distribution. 2. Reboot system to load new kernel. 3. Verify amdgpu driver is using patched kernel module.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable amdgpu driver

linux

Prevent loading of vulnerable AMD GPU driver module

echo 'blacklist amdgpu' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist-amdgpu.conf
update-initramfs -u
reboot

Use nomodeset kernel parameter

linux

Disable kernel mode setting which may prevent driver loading

Add 'nomodeset' to GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT in /etc/default/grub
update-grub
reboot

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Restrict local user access to systems with vulnerable AMD GPUs
Implement strict privilege separation and limit user capabilities

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check kernel version and if amdgpu module is loaded: uname -r && lsmod | grep amdgpu

Check Version:

uname -r

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify kernel version is patched and check dmesg for amdgpu driver loading without errors

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Kernel panic messages
UBSAN (Undefined Behavior Sanitizer) warnings in dmesg
amdgpu driver crash logs

Network Indicators:

None - local vulnerability only

SIEM Query:

source="kernel" AND ("UBSAN" OR "array-index-out-of-bounds" OR "amdgpu" AND "panic")

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2023-52818

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: December 30, 2024

🔗 References

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🔗 Related Vulnerabilities

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