CVE-2023-53521
📋 TL;DR
A slab-out-of-bounds read vulnerability in the Linux kernel's SCSI Enclosure Services (SES) driver allows reading kernel memory beyond allocated bounds when removing SES interfaces. This affects Linux systems with SCSI storage hardware using the ses kernel module. Attackers with local access could potentially leak sensitive kernel memory information.
💻 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 information disclosure leading to privilege escalation or system compromise through subsequent attacks using leaked memory contents.
Likely Case
Kernel panic or system crash causing denial of service when the vulnerable code path is triggered during SES interface removal.
If Mitigated
No impact if the ses module is not loaded or SES hardware is not present.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires local access and ability to trigger ses_intf_remove() function, typically through module operations. Exploitation would require additional steps to turn memory read into useful information disclosure.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Multiple stable kernel commits available (see references in CVE description)
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/578797f0c8cbc2e3ec5fc0dab87087b4c7073686
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to patched version from your distribution. 2. For custom kernels, apply commits from stable kernel tree. 3. Reboot system to load new kernel.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Unload ses module
linuxRemove the vulnerable kernel module if not needed
sudo rmmod ses
Blacklist ses module
linuxPrevent ses module from loading automatically
echo 'blacklist ses' | sudo tee /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist-ses.conf
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Ensure ses kernel module is not loaded (check with 'lsmod | grep ses')
- Restrict local user access to systems with SCSI enclosure hardware
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if ses module is loaded: 'lsmod | grep ses'. If loaded and kernel version is unpatched, system is vulnerable.Check Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Check kernel version against patched versions from your distribution. Verify ses module can be safely removed if not needed.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel panic messages
- KASAN reports in dmesg
- System crashes during storage operations
Network Indicators:
- None - local vulnerability only
SIEM Query:
Search for: 'KASAN: slab-out-of-bounds' OR 'ses_intf_remove' in kernel logs🔗 References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0595cdb587726b4f0fa780eb7462e3679d141e82
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/2fb1fa8425cce2dc4dce298275d22d7077694b73
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/40af9a6deed723485e05b7d3255a28750692e8db
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/578797f0c8cbc2e3ec5fc0dab87087b4c7073686
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/76f7050537476ac062ec23a544fbca8270f2d08b
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/82143faf01dda831b89eccef60c39ef8575ab08a
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/87e47be38d205df338c52ead43f23b2864567423
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/8f9542cad6c27297c8391de3a659f0b7948495d0
