CVE-2023-52878
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability in the Linux kernel's CAN (Controller Area Network) subsystem allows out-of-bounds access to the echo_skb buffer, which could cause a kernel crash. It affects systems using CAN bus interfaces with vulnerable kernel versions. The issue is resolved by adding bounds checking and returning an error instead of crashing.
💻 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 →⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Kernel panic leading to system crash and denial of service, potentially disrupting critical operations on systems using CAN interfaces.
Likely Case
System crash or instability when malformed CAN packets trigger the out-of-bounds access, causing temporary denial of service.
If Mitigated
Warning message logged and error returned without system crash when bounds checking is implemented.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires ability to send malformed CAN packets to the system, typically requiring local access or network access to CAN interface.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Kernel versions containing commits: 0d30931f1fa0fb893fb7d5dc32b6b7edfb775be4, 53c468008a7c9ca3f5fc985951f35ec2acae85bc, 6411959c10fe917288cbb1038886999148560057, 826120c9ba68f2d0dbae58e99013929c883d1444, 8ab67da060157362b2e0926692c659808784708f
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to patched version from your distribution's repositories. 2. Reboot system to load new kernel. 3. Verify kernel version after reboot.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable CAN interfaces
linuxIf CAN functionality is not required, disable CAN kernel modules to remove attack surface
sudo modprobe -r can_raw
sudo modprobe -r can
echo 'blacklist can' | sudo tee /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist-can.conf
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict access to CAN interfaces to trusted users/devices only
- Implement network segmentation to isolate CAN networks from untrusted systems
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check kernel version and compare with distribution's security advisories. Check if CAN modules are loaded: lsmod | grep canCheck Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel version after update matches patched version. Check system logs for CAN-related warnings.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel panic messages
- CAN subsystem warnings in dmesg
- System crash/reboot events
Network Indicators:
- Unusual CAN packet patterns
- CAN interface errors
SIEM Query:
source="kernel" AND ("panic" OR "oops" OR "CAN" AND "error")🔗 References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0d30931f1fa0fb893fb7d5dc32b6b7edfb775be4
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/53c468008a7c9ca3f5fc985951f35ec2acae85bc
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/6411959c10fe917288cbb1038886999148560057
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/826120c9ba68f2d0dbae58e99013929c883d1444
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/8ab67da060157362b2e0926692c659808784708f
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0d30931f1fa0fb893fb7d5dc32b6b7edfb775be4
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/53c468008a7c9ca3f5fc985951f35ec2acae85bc
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/6411959c10fe917288cbb1038886999148560057
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/826120c9ba68f2d0dbae58e99013929c883d1444
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/8ab67da060157362b2e0926692c659808784708f
