CVE-2023-53307
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes a use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's RBD (RADOS Block Device) driver. When rbd_dev_create() fails during device creation, it triggers use-after-free on critical structures, potentially allowing local attackers to crash the system or execute arbitrary code. This affects systems using the RBD driver in the Linux kernel.
💻 Affected Systems
- Linux kernel with RBD (RADOS Block Device) driver enabled
📦 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
Local privilege escalation to kernel-level code execution, leading to complete system compromise, data theft, or persistent backdoor installation.
Likely Case
Kernel panic or system crash causing denial of service, potentially requiring physical or remote console access to reboot.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper access controls prevent local users from triggering RBD device creation, with crashes contained to affected processes.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires local access and ability to trigger RBD device operations. Exploit would need to carefully time memory operations after the use-after-free condition.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Kernel versions containing the fix commits: 71da2a151ed1adb0aea4252b16d81b53012e7afd and related commits
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/71da2a151ed1adb0aea4252b16d81b53012e7afd
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to version containing the fix commits. 2. For distributions: Use package manager (apt/yum/dnf) to update kernel package. 3. Reboot system to load new kernel.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable RBD module
linuxPrevent loading of the vulnerable RBD kernel module if not needed
echo 'blacklist rbd' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf
rmmod rbd
Restrict RBD device creation
linuxUse Linux security modules to restrict which users can create RBD devices
# Configure SELinux/AppArmor policies to restrict rbd operations
# Use cgroups or namespaces to limit access
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict access controls to prevent local users from executing RBD-related operations
- Monitor system logs for RBD device creation attempts and investigate unauthorized activity
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check kernel version and if RBD module is loaded: uname -r && lsmod | grep rbdCheck Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel version is updated beyond fix commits and RBD module version matches patched kernel📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel oops messages related to rbd module
- System crashes following RBD device operations
- Failed RBD device creation in system logs
Network Indicators:
- None - this is a local kernel vulnerability
SIEM Query:
Search for: 'kernel: rbd' OR 'kernel: use-after-free' OR 'kernel: BUG' in system logs🔗 References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/71da2a151ed1adb0aea4252b16d81b53012e7afd
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/9787b328c42c13c4f31e7d5042c4e877e9344068
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/a73783e4e0c4d1507794da211eeca75498544dff
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/ae16346078b1189aee934afd872d9f3d0a682c33
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/cc8c0dd2984503ed09efa37bcafcef3d3da104e8
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e3cbb4d60764295992c95344f2d779439e8b34ce
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/f7c4d9b133c7a04ca619355574e96b6abf209fba
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/faa7b683e436664fff5648426950718277831348
