CVE-2023-53683
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability in the Linux kernel's HFS+ filesystem driver could allow an attacker to cause a kernel panic (system crash) by mounting a specially crafted filesystem image. It affects systems using HFS+ filesystems, primarily Linux servers and workstations. The issue stems from improper handling of bogus length values in filesystem metadata.
💻 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 panic leading to denial of service, system crash, and potential data loss or corruption.
Likely Case
Local denial of service through system crash when mounting malicious HFS+ filesystem images.
If Mitigated
No impact if systems don't mount untrusted HFS+ filesystems or have patched kernels.
🎯 Exploit Status
Requires ability to mount a crafted HFS+ filesystem image. Exploitation is local-only, not remote.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Linux kernel versions containing the fix commits (e.g., 37cab61a52d6f42b2d961c51bcf369f09e235fb5 and others)
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/37cab61a52d6f42b2d961c51bcf369f09e235fb5
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to patched version from your distribution's repositories. 2. For custom kernels, apply the fix commits from kernel.org. 3. Rebuild and install the kernel if compiling from source.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable HFS+ module
allPrevent loading of HFS+ filesystem support to eliminate attack surface
echo 'install hfsplus /bin/false' >> /etc/modprobe.d/disable-hfsplus.conf
rmmod hfsplus 2>/dev/null || true
Mount restrictions
allRestrict mounting of HFS+ filesystems to trusted sources only
Add 'noauto' option to /etc/fstab entries for HFS+ partitions
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Restrict local user access to prevent mounting of untrusted filesystems
- Implement strict filesystem mounting policies and audit mount activities
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check kernel version and if HFS+ module is loaded: 'uname -r' and 'lsmod | grep hfsplus'Check Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel version is patched and test with known safe HFS+ images📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel panic messages in /var/log/kern.log or dmesg
- Unexpected HFS+ mount attempts in system logs
Network Indicators:
- None - this is a local filesystem vulnerability
SIEM Query:
Search for 'kernel panic' or 'WARN_ON' in kernel logs with hfsplus context🔗 References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/37cab61a52d6f42b2d961c51bcf369f09e235fb5
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/3a9d68d84b2e41ba3f2a727b36f035fad6800492
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/48960a503fcec76d3f72347b7e679dda08ca43be
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/61af77acd039ffd221bf7adf0dc95d0a4d377505
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/81b21c0f0138ff5a499eafc3eb0578ad2a99622c
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/a75d9211a07fed513c08c5d4861c4a36ac6a74fe
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/c074913b12db3632b11588b31bbfb0fa80a0a1c9
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/c8daee66585897a4c90d937c91e762100237bff9
