CVE-2023-53486
📋 TL;DR
CVE-2023-53486 is an out-of-bounds read vulnerability in the Linux kernel's NTFS3 filesystem driver. It allows attackers to read kernel memory beyond allocated buffers when mounting specially crafted NTFS filesystems. This affects Linux systems using the NTFS3 driver to mount NTFS filesystems.
💻 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 →⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Kernel memory disclosure leading to information leakage, potential privilege escalation if combined with other vulnerabilities, or kernel panic causing denial of service.
Likely Case
Information disclosure of kernel memory contents, potentially revealing sensitive data or system information.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if systems don't mount untrusted NTFS filesystems or have kernel address space layout randomization (KASLR) enabled.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires mounting a specially crafted NTFS filesystem. No public exploit code has been observed.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Fixed in kernel commits: 1fd5b80c9339503f3eaa4db3051b37ac506beeab, 277439e7cabd9d4c6334b39a4b99d49b4c97265b, 4f082a7531223a438c757bb20e304f4c941c67a8, f28d9e02c2c242e8f9af9e13ba263fcc0211be49
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/1fd5b80c9339503f3eaa4db3051b37ac506beeab
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to version containing the fix. 2. Check with your distribution for backported patches. 3. Reboot system to load new kernel.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable NTFS3 module
linuxPrevent loading of the vulnerable NTFS3 driver module
echo 'blacklist ntfs3' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist-ntfs3.conf
rmmod ntfs3
Mount with different driver
linuxUse NTFS-3G userspace driver instead of kernel NTFS3 driver
mount -t ntfs-3g /dev/device /mount/point
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Avoid mounting untrusted NTFS filesystems from unknown sources
- Implement strict access controls on removable media mounting
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if NTFS3 module is loaded: lsmod | grep ntfs3. Check kernel version: uname -r and compare with affected versions.Check Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel version is patched or NTFS3 module is not loaded. Check dmesg for absence of KASAN errors related to run_unpack.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- KASAN slab-out-of-bounds errors in kernel logs
- BUG: KASAN: slab-out-of-bounds in run_unpack
- System crashes when mounting NTFS filesystems
Network Indicators:
- Not network exploitable
SIEM Query:
source="kernel" AND "KASAN" AND "slab-out-of-bounds" AND "run_unpack"