CVE-2023-52930 – This CVE describes a double-free memory corrupt... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2023-52930?

CVE-2023-52930 has a CVSS score of 7.8 (HIGH). This CVE describes a double-free memory corruption vulnerability in the Linux kernel's i915 graphics driver. It allows attackers with local access to potentially crash the system or execute arbitrary code by racing multiple threads to change memory tiling settings. Systems using Intel integrated graphics with affected Linux kernel versions are vulnerable.

📋 TL;DR

This CVE describes a double-free memory corruption vulnerability in the Linux kernel's i915 graphics driver. It allows attackers with local access to potentially crash the system or execute arbitrary code by racing multiple threads to change memory tiling settings. Systems using Intel integrated graphics with affected Linux kernel versions are vulnerable.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Linux kernel with i915 graphics driver

Versions: Specific affected versions not explicitly stated in CVE, but commit references indicate multiple stable branches were patched.

Operating Systems: Linux distributions using affected kernel versions

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Only affects systems using Intel integrated graphics with the i915 driver. Systems without Intel graphics or using different drivers are not vulnerable.

📦 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 →

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 patched or if system doesn't use Intel integrated graphics.

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW - Requires local access to exploit.

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

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: MEDIUM

Exploitation requires local access and race condition timing, making it moderately complex. No public exploits are known at this time.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Kernel versions containing commit 10e0cbaaf1104f449d695c80bcacf930dcd3c42e or backported fixes

Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0769f997a7b6d5cb8336db0b4ec3d2d311b8097c

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 i915 driver

Linux

Remove or blacklist the i915 graphics driver if Intel graphics are not needed

echo 'blacklist i915' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf
update-initramfs -u
reboot

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Restrict local user access to systems with Intel graphics
Implement strict privilege separation and limit users who can access graphics-related system calls

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check kernel version and if i915 module is loaded: 'lsmod | grep i915' and 'uname -r'

Check Version:

uname -r

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify kernel version is updated and check if commit 10e0cbaaf1104f449d695c80bcacf930dcd3c42e is present in kernel source

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Kernel oops messages
System crashes or panics
drm/i915 error messages in dmesg

Network Indicators:

None - local vulnerability only

SIEM Query:

Search for 'kernel panic', 'Oops', or 'i915' in system logs

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2023-52930

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-415

EPSS Score: 0.09% exploit probability (25.9th percentile)

Published: March 27, 2025

Last Updated: October 1, 2025

🔗 References

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🔗 Related Vulnerabilities

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