CVE-2023-53153
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's cfg80211 WiFi subsystem. When using Wireless Extensions (wext), key information from previous connections isn't properly cleared, potentially causing drivers to access freed memory. This affects Linux systems using wext for WiFi connections.
💻 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 →⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Kernel memory corruption leading to system crash, privilege escalation, or arbitrary code execution in kernel context.
Likely Case
System instability, kernel panics, or denial of service when connecting to WiFi networks using wext.
If Mitigated
No impact if patched or if system doesn't use wext interface for WiFi.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires local access and ability to trigger WiFi connection operations. Exploitation depends on specific memory layout and timing.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Patches available in stable kernel branches (commits provided in references)
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/015b8cc5e7c4d7bb671f1984d7b7338c310b185b
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to patched version from your distribution. 2. Reboot system to load new kernel. 3. Verify kernel version after reboot.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable wext usage
linuxConfigure system to use nl80211 instead of wext for WiFi operations
Check if using wext: iwconfig
Configure network manager to use nl80211
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict local user access to WiFi configuration tools
- Disable WiFi interfaces if not required
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check kernel version and compare with patched versions from kernel.org commitsCheck Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel version matches or exceeds patched version, check that WiFi connections work without crashes📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel oops messages
- System crashes during WiFi operations
- dmesg errors related to cfg80211 or wext
Network Indicators:
- Unusual WiFi disconnections or connection failures
SIEM Query:
Search for kernel panic logs or cfg80211/wext related errors in system logs🔗 References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/015b8cc5e7c4d7bb671f1984d7b7338c310b185b
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/22dfb21bf1cd876616d45cda1bc6daa89eec6747
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/2cfe78619b0de6d2da773978bc2d22797212eaa7
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/66af4a2ab1d65d556d638cb9555a3b823c2557a9
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/6f1959c17d4cb5b74af6fc31dc787e1dc3e4f6e2
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/a2a92b3e9d8e03ee3f9ee407fc46a9b4bd02d8b6
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/f4b6a138efb8a32507b8946104e32cb926308da7
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/fd081afd21eb35b968b0330700c43ec94986e1c4
