CVE-2023-52864
📋 TL;DR
A memory corruption vulnerability in the Linux kernel's WMI (Windows Management Instrumentation) subsystem allows local attackers to potentially escalate privileges or crash the system. The issue occurs when opening WMI character devices after a specific kernel change, affecting systems with WMI hardware support. This vulnerability requires local access to exploit.
💻 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 →⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Local privilege escalation to root, allowing complete system compromise, or kernel panic causing system crash and denial of service.
Likely Case
Local privilege escalation allowing attackers to gain elevated permissions on the system.
If Mitigated
Minimal impact if proper access controls restrict local user access and kernel patches are applied.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires local access and knowledge of WMI device operations. No public exploits known at this time.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Kernel versions with fixes from the provided git commits
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/36d85fa7ae0d6be651c1a745191fa7ef055db43e
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to patched version from your distribution vendor. 2. Reboot system to load new kernel. 3. Verify kernel version after reboot.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict WMI device access
linuxLimit access to WMI character devices to prevent exploitation
chmod 600 /dev/wmi/*
setfacl -m u:root:rw- /dev/wmi/*
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict local user access to systems with WMI hardware
- Implement strict access controls on /dev/wmi devices
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check kernel version and if WMI devices exist: ls -la /dev/wmi/ 2>/dev/null && uname -rCheck Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel version is updated to patched version and check for WMI device permissions📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel panic logs
- Failed WMI device access attempts in system logs
- Permission denied errors for /dev/wmi devices
Network Indicators:
- None - local exploit only
SIEM Query:
Search for: 'kernel panic' OR 'WMI' OR '/dev/wmi' in system logs with privilege escalation patterns🔗 References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/36d85fa7ae0d6be651c1a745191fa7ef055db43e
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/44a96796d25809502c75771d40ee693c2e44724e
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/9fb0eed09e1470cd4021ff52b2b9dfcbcee4c203
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/cf098e937dd125c0317a0d6f261ac2a950a233d6
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/d426a2955e45a95b2282764105fcfb110a540453
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e0bf076b734a2fab92d8fddc2b8b03462eee7097
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/eba9ac7abab91c8f6d351460239108bef5e7a0b6
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/fb7b06b59c6887659c6ed0ecd3110835eecbb6a3
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/36d85fa7ae0d6be651c1a745191fa7ef055db43e
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/44a96796d25809502c75771d40ee693c2e44724e
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/9fb0eed09e1470cd4021ff52b2b9dfcbcee4c203
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/cf098e937dd125c0317a0d6f261ac2a950a233d6
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/d426a2955e45a95b2282764105fcfb110a540453
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e0bf076b734a2fab92d8fddc2b8b03462eee7097
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/eba9ac7abab91c8f6d351460239108bef5e7a0b6
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/fb7b06b59c6887659c6ed0ecd3110835eecbb6a3
