CVE-2023-53148
📋 TL;DR
A double-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's igb Ethernet driver causes system hangs when Thunderbolt devices are unexpectedly removed. This affects Linux systems using Intel Gigabit Ethernet adapters with Thunderbolt connectivity. The vulnerability leads to denial of service through system instability.
💻 Affected Systems
- Linux kernel with igb driver
📦 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 →⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
System becomes completely unresponsive requiring hard reboot, potentially causing data loss or corruption.
Likely Case
System hangs or becomes unstable when Thunderbolt-connected Ethernet devices are unplugged unexpectedly.
If Mitigated
Minor disruption with automatic recovery after device reconnection.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires physical access to trigger Thunderbolt device removal or specific hardware configuration.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Linux kernel with commits 004d25060c78fc31f66da0fa439c544dda1ac9d5 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/004d25060c78fc31f66da0fa439c544dda1ac9d5
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to version containing the fix. 2. Reboot system. 3. Verify igb driver version is updated.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Avoid Thunderbolt device hot-unplug
linuxPrevent unexpected removal of Thunderbolt-connected Ethernet devices
Disable igb driver
linuxRemove or blacklist igb driver if not needed
echo 'blacklist igb' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf
rmmod igb
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict physical access controls to Thunderbolt ports
- Use alternative Ethernet adapters not affected by igb driver issues
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if igb driver is loaded: lsmod | grep igb. Check kernel version: uname -r and compare with patched versions.Check Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel version is updated and test Thunderbolt device removal scenario.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel panic messages
- Hung task warnings in dmesg
- igb driver error messages
Network Indicators:
- Sudden Ethernet interface disappearance
- Network connectivity loss after Thunderbolt events
SIEM Query:
source="kernel" AND ("igb" OR "Thunderbolt") AND ("panic" OR "hung" OR "error")🔗 References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/004d25060c78fc31f66da0fa439c544dda1ac9d5
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/124e39a734cb90658b8f0dc110847bbfc6e33792
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/39695e87d86f0e7d897fba1d2559f825aa20caeb
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/41f63b72a01c0e0ac59ab83fd2d921fcce0f602d
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/994c2ceb70ea99264ccc6f09e6703ca267dad63c
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/c2312e1d12b1c3ee4100c173131b102e2aed4d04
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/c9f56f3c7bc908caa772112d3ae71cdd5d18c257
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/fa92c463eba75dcedbd8d689ffdcb83293aaa0c3
