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CVE-2023-52997

5.5 MEDIUM

📋 TL;DR

This CVE describes a Spectre v1 vulnerability in the Linux kernel's ip_metrics_convert() function where an attacker could potentially read kernel memory contents through speculative execution. It affects Linux systems running vulnerable kernel versions, requiring local access to exploit.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:
  • Linux kernel
Versions: Specific vulnerable versions not explicitly stated in CVE, but references indicate stable kernel patches
Operating Systems: Linux distributions using affected kernel versions
Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes
Notes: Requires local access to exploit; impact depends on whether Spectre mitigations are disabled.

📦 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 →

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

An attacker with local access could read sensitive kernel memory contents, potentially exposing cryptographic keys, passwords, or other privileged information.

🟠

Likely Case

Information disclosure of kernel memory contents to local attackers, though the specific data leaked depends on system configuration and memory layout.

🟢

If Mitigated

Minimal impact if systems have Spectre mitigations enabled or are patched, as this prevents the speculative execution attack.

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW - Requires local access to exploit, not directly exploitable over network.
🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Local attackers or compromised user accounts could exploit this to read kernel memory.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ✅ No
Weaponized: UNKNOWN
Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No
Complexity: HIGH - Requires local access and exploitation of Spectre v1 vulnerability

Spectre v1 exploitation requires precise timing and knowledge of system architecture.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Patched in stable kernel commits referenced in CVE

Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/1d1d63b612801b3f0a39b7d4467cad0abd60e5c8

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Update Linux kernel to patched version from your distribution's repositories. 2. Reboot system to load new kernel.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Enable Spectre mitigations

linux

Ensure Spectre v1 mitigations are enabled in kernel

echo 'spectre_v1=on' >> /etc/default/grub
update-grub
reboot

🧯 If You Can't Patch

  • Ensure Spectre v1 mitigations are enabled via kernel command line parameters
  • Restrict local user access and implement strict privilege separation

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check kernel version and compare with patched versions from kernel git commits

Check Version:

uname -r

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify kernel version is newer than patched commits and check /proc/cmdline for spectre_v1=on

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

  • Unusual local privilege escalation attempts
  • Kernel crash dumps or oops messages

Network Indicators:

  • Not network exploitable

SIEM Query:

Search for kernel version strings matching vulnerable versions and local privilege escalation events

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2023-52997
CVSS v3 Score: 5.5 (MEDIUM)
CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
EPSS Score: 0.06% exploit probability (19.5th percentile)
Published: March 27, 2025
Last Updated: October 30, 2025

🔗 References

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