CVE-2023-53675
📋 TL;DR
This CVE-2023-53675 is an out-of-bounds read vulnerability in the Linux kernel's SCSI Enclosure Services (SES) driver. It allows attackers to read kernel memory beyond allocated buffers, potentially leaking sensitive information or causing system crashes. Systems running vulnerable Linux kernel versions with SCSI enclosure devices are affected.
💻 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 disclosure leading to information leakage, privilege escalation, or denial of service through kernel panic.
Likely Case
Information disclosure of kernel memory contents or system instability/crashes.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if proper access controls restrict SCSI device access to trusted users only.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires local access and ability to interact with SCSI enclosure devices. No public exploit code identified.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Multiple stable kernel versions with commits: 414418abc19fa4ccf730d273061a426c07a061d6, 4b8cae410472653a59e15af62c57c49b8e0a1201, 584892fd29a41ef424a148118a3103b16b94fb8c, 72021ae61a2bc6ca73cd593e255a10ed5f5dc5e7, 79ec5dd5fb07ecaea2f978c2d7a9f2f3526e4d19
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/414418abc19fa4ccf730d273061a426c07a061d6
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to patched version from your distribution's repositories. 2. Reboot system to load new kernel. 3. Verify kernel version after reboot.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Restrict SCSI device access
linuxLimit access to SCSI enclosure devices to trusted users only using device permissions
chmod 600 /dev/sg*
chown root:root /dev/sg*
Disable SCSI enclosure support
linuxRemove or blacklist ses kernel module to disable SCSI Enclosure Services
echo 'blacklist ses' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist-ses.conf
rmmod ses
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict access controls on SCSI devices to limit exposure
- Monitor system logs for unusual SCSI device access or kernel panic events
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check kernel version and compare with distribution's security advisories. Examine if ses module is loaded: lsmod | grep sesCheck Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel version after update matches patched version. Check that ses module functions normally with SCSI devices.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel panic messages
- SCSI error logs
- Out-of-bounds access warnings in kernel logs
Network Indicators:
- None - local vulnerability only
SIEM Query:
source="kernel" AND ("panic" OR "oops" OR "segfault") AND ("ses" OR "SCSI")🔗 References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/414418abc19fa4ccf730d273061a426c07a061d6
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/4b8cae410472653a59e15af62c57c49b8e0a1201
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/584892fd29a41ef424a148118a3103b16b94fb8c
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/72021ae61a2bc6ca73cd593e255a10ed5f5dc5e7
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/79ec5dd5fb07ecaea2f978c2d7a9f2f3526e4d19
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/801ab13d50cf3d26170ee073ea8bb4eececb76ab
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/c315560e3ef77c1d822249f1743e647dc9c9912a
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/cffe09ca0555e235a42d6fa065e463c4b3d5b657
