CVE-2023-53165
📋 TL;DR
A memory access vulnerability in the Linux kernel's UDF filesystem driver allows reading uninitialized memory when processing certain filenames. This affects Linux systems with UDF filesystem support enabled, potentially causing incorrect filename handling or information disclosure. The impact is limited to systems using UDF filesystems or mounting UDF media.
💻 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
Information disclosure of kernel memory contents, potentially revealing sensitive data or kernel pointers that could aid further exploitation.
Likely Case
Minor filesystem corruption or incorrect filename display when accessing specific short dot-prefixed filenames on UDF volumes.
If Mitigated
No practical impact beyond potential minor cosmetic filename display issues.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires ability to create or access specific filenames on UDF filesystem; limited practical impact reduces exploitation incentive.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Kernel versions containing commits: 008ae78d1e12efa904dc819b1ec83e2bca6b2c56, 028f6055c912588e6f72722d89c30b401bbcf013, 3f1368af47acf4d0b2a5fb0d2c0d6919d2234b6d, 4503f6fc95d6dee85fb2c54785848799e192c51c, 4d50988da0db167aed6f38685145cb5cd526c4f8
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to patched version from distribution vendor. 2. Reboot system to load new kernel. 3. Verify kernel version after reboot.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable UDF module
LinuxPrevent loading of UDF filesystem support if not needed
echo 'install udf /bin/false' > /etc/modprobe.d/disable-udf.conf
rmmod udf
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Avoid using UDF filesystems or mounting UDF media
- Implement strict access controls to prevent unauthorized users from creating/mounting UDF volumes
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check kernel version and compare with distribution's security advisories; examine if UDF module is loaded: lsmod | grep udfCheck Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel version after update matches patched version; check that UDF functionality works correctly with test filenames📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel oops or warnings related to UDF filesystem
- Filesystem errors when accessing UDF volumes
Network Indicators:
- None - local filesystem vulnerability
SIEM Query:
Search for kernel logs containing 'UDF' or 'udf' with error/warning severity🔗 References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/008ae78d1e12efa904dc819b1ec83e2bca6b2c56
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/028f6055c912588e6f72722d89c30b401bbcf013
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/3f1368af47acf4d0b2a5fb0d2c0d6919d2234b6d
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/4503f6fc95d6dee85fb2c54785848799e192c51c
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/4d50988da0db167aed6f38685145cb5cd526c4f8
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/985f9666698960dfc87a106d6314203fa90fda75
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/a6824149809395dfbb5bc36bc7057cc3cb84e56d
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/b37f998d357102e8eb0f8eeb33f03fff22e49cbf
