CVE-2023-53138
📋 TL;DR
This is a use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's CAIF USB driver that allows local attackers to potentially crash the system or execute arbitrary code. It affects Linux systems using the CAIF USB networking module, primarily impacting servers and devices with USB networking capabilities.
💻 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 →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, leading to complete system compromise
Likely Case
Kernel panic or system crash causing denial of service
If Mitigated
System remains stable with no impact if module not loaded or patch applied
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires local access and ability to trigger USB device unregistration events
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Kernel versions with commits 1793da97a23e31c5bf06631f3f3e5a25f368fd64 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/1793da97a23e31c5bf06631f3f3e5a25f368fd64
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to patched version from your distribution vendor. 2. Reboot system to load new kernel.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Unload CAIF USB module
linuxPrevent exploitation by unloading the vulnerable kernel module
sudo rmmod caif_usb
echo 'blacklist caif_usb' | sudo tee /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist-caif_usb.conf
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Ensure CAIF USB module is not loaded (check with lsmod | grep caif_usb)
- Restrict local user access to systems where module must remain loaded
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if CAIF USB module is loaded: lsmod | grep caif_usb. If loaded, check kernel version against patched versions.Check Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel version is patched and CAIF USB module loads without errors in dmesg📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel panic logs
- KASAN reports for use-after-free in cfusbl_device_notify
- System crashes during USB device removal
Network Indicators:
- None - local vulnerability only
SIEM Query:
Search for kernel logs containing 'KASAN: use-after-free in cfusbl_device_notify' or 'BUG: KASAN'🔗 References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/1793da97a23e31c5bf06631f3f3e5a25f368fd64
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/287027d8a567168a5d8ce5cb0cba16a34791a48c
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/3f14457e1584224f4296af613bbd99deb60b5d91
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/68a45c3cf0e2242a533657f4f535d9b6a7447a79
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/9781e98a97110f5e76999058368b4be76a788484
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/9dc16be373b382ddd4c274052a6e870a95e76c01
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/c3aaec463a632cf4187dc017e421bfa69d7834a9
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/d1a11bbdbb5ea9f172019c5a4a3e9d8eabd72179
