CVE-2023-52988 – This CVE describes a potential array out-of-bou... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2023-52988?

CVE-2023-52988 has a CVSS score of 7.8 (HIGH). This CVE describes a potential array out-of-bounds vulnerability in the Linux kernel's ALSA HDA driver for VIA audio hardware. If exploited, it could allow local attackers to cause kernel memory corruption, potentially leading to system crashes or privilege escalation. Systems running affected Linux kernel versions with VIA audio hardware are vulnerable.

📋 TL;DR

This CVE describes a potential array out-of-bounds vulnerability in the Linux kernel's ALSA HDA driver for VIA audio hardware. If exploited, it could allow local attackers to cause kernel memory corruption, potentially leading to system crashes or privilege escalation. Systems running affected Linux kernel versions with VIA audio hardware are vulnerable.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Linux kernel

Versions: Specific affected versions not explicitly stated in CVE, but patches available in stable kernel trees

Operating Systems: Linux distributions using affected kernel versions

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: Only affects systems with VIA audio hardware using the ALSA HDA driver. Most modern Linux distributions are affected if using vulnerable kernel versions.

📦 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 →

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, kernel panic causing system crash, or arbitrary code execution in kernel context.

🟠

Likely Case

Kernel panic leading to denial of service (system crash) when malicious audio configuration is loaded.

🟢

If Mitigated

System crash requiring reboot, but no privilege escalation if kernel hardening features are enabled.

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW - This requires local access to the system and ability to interact with audio subsystem.

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Local users or compromised accounts could exploit this to crash systems or potentially escalate privileges.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No

Weaponized: UNKNOWN

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: MEDIUM

Exploitation requires local access and ability to interact with audio subsystem. No public exploits known at this time.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Patched in stable kernel versions via commits referenced in CVE

Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/1b9256c96220bcdba287eeeb90e7c910c77f8c46

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Update Linux kernel to patched version from distribution repositories. 2. Reboot system to load new kernel. 3. Verify kernel version after reboot.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable VIA audio hardware

Linux

Blacklist the snd-hda-intel module or disable VIA audio hardware in BIOS/UEFI

echo 'blacklist snd-hda-intel' > /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist-via-audio.conf
update-initramfs -u

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Restrict local user access to systems with VIA audio hardware
Implement kernel hardening features like KASLR, stack protection, and SMAP/SMEP

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check kernel version and if VIA audio hardware is present: lspci | grep -i audio && uname -r

Check Version:

uname -r

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify kernel version is updated and check dmesg for audio driver loading without errors

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Kernel panic messages in /var/log/kern.log or dmesg
Audio subsystem crash logs
Segmentation faults in audio-related processes

Network Indicators:

None - this is a local vulnerability

SIEM Query:

source="kernel" AND ("panic" OR "Oops" OR "segfault") AND ("audio" OR "ALSA" OR "HDA")

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2023-52988

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

EPSS Score: 0.03% exploit probability (6.5th percentile)

Published: March 27, 2025

Last Updated: October 1, 2025

🔗 References

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🔗 Related Vulnerabilities

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