CVE-2023-53587
📋 TL;DR
This is a use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux kernel's ring buffer subsystem where IRQ work could access freed memory during buffer destruction. It allows potential kernel memory corruption and system crashes, affecting all Linux systems using the affected kernel versions.
💻 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 →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 panic, system crash, or potential privilege escalation leading to full system compromise.
Likely Case
System instability, crashes, or denial of service under specific timing conditions.
If Mitigated
Minimal impact with proper kernel hardening and isolation controls in place.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires local access and specific conditions to trigger the race condition.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Fixed in kernel commits: 0a65165bd24ee9231191597b7c232376fcd70cdb and related stable backports
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0a65165bd24ee9231191597b7c232376fcd70cdb
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to version containing the fix. 2. Check distribution security advisories for specific patched versions. 3. Reboot system after kernel update.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable time-travel debugging
linuxAvoid using ARCH=um with time-travel features if possible
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict local user access to minimize attack surface
- Implement kernel hardening features like KASAN to detect exploitation attempts
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check kernel version: uname -r and compare with distribution security advisoriesCheck Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel version is updated to patched version and check for absence of KASAN reports related to ring buffer📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- KASAN reports of use-after-free in ring buffer
- Kernel panic logs
- System crash dumps
Network Indicators:
- None - local vulnerability
SIEM Query:
Search for kernel logs containing 'KASAN: slab-use-after-free' or 'ring-buffer' crash reports🔗 References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/0a65165bd24ee9231191597b7c232376fcd70cdb
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/1c99f65d6af2a454bfd5207b4f6a97c8474a1191
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/2399b1fda025e939b6fb1ac94505bcf718534e65
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/2702b67f59d455072a08dc40312f9b090d4dec04
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/372c5ee537b8366b64b691ba29e9335525e1655e
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/675751bb20634f981498c7d66161584080cc061e
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/c63741e872fcfb10e153517750f7908f0c00f60d
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/d9834abd8b24d1fe8092859e436fe1e0fd467c61
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/fc6858b7f8e1221f62ce8c6ff8a13a349c32cd76
