// For flags

CVE-2023-2163

Incorrect Verifier Branch Pruning Logic Leads To Arbitrary Read/Write In Linux Kernel and Lateral Privilege Escalation

Severity Score

8.8
*CVSS v3.1

Exploit Likelihood

*EPSS

Affected Versions

*CPE

Public Exploits

2
*Multiple Sources

Exploited in Wild

-
*KEV

Decision

Attend
*SSVC
Descriptions

Incorrect verifier pruning in BPF in Linux Kernel >=5.4 leads to unsafe
code paths being incorrectly marked as safe, resulting in arbitrary read/write in
kernel memory, lateral privilege escalation, and container escape.

La poda incorrecta del verificador en BPF en el kernel de Linux >=5.4 conduce a que las rutas de código inseguras se marquen incorrectamente como seguras, lo que resulta en lectura/escritura arbitraria en la memoria del kernel, escalada de privilegios lateral y escape de contenedor.

An incorrect verifier pruning flaw was found in BPF in the Linux Kernel that may lead to unsafe code paths incorrectly marked as safe, resulting in arbitrary read/writes in kernel memory, lateral privilege escalation, and container escape.

Incorrect verifier pruning in BPF in Linux Kernel >=5.4 leads to unsafe code paths being incorrectly marked as safe, resulting in arbitrary read/write in kernel memory, lateral privilege escalation, and container escape.

This update for the Linux Kernel 5.14.21-150400_24_81 fixes several issues. The following security issues were fixed. Fixed use-after-free vulnerability in nf_tables can be exploited to achieve local privilege escalation. Fixed a use-after-free vulnerability in netfilter: nf_tables component can be exploited to achieve local privilege escalation. Fixed an use-after-free vulnerability in the fs/smb/client component which could be exploited to achieve local privilege escalation. Fixed a use-after-free vulnerability in the Unix domain sockets component which could be exploited to achieve local privilege escalation. Fixed an incorrect verifier pruning in BPF that could lead to unsafe code paths being incorrectly marked as safe, resulting in arbitrary read/write in kernel memory, lateral privilege escalation, and container escape.

*Credits: N/A
CVSS Scores
Attack Vector
Local
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
Low
User Interaction
None
Scope
Changed
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
High
Attack Vector
Network
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
None
User Interaction
None
Scope
Changed
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
None
Attack Vector
Local
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
High
User Interaction
None
Scope
Changed
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
High
Attack Vector
Local
Attack Complexity
Low
Authentication
Single
Confidentiality
Complete
Integrity
Complete
Availability
Complete
* Common Vulnerability Scoring System
SSVC
  • Decision:Attend
Exploitation
None
Automatable
Yes
Tech. Impact
Total
* Organization's Worst-case Scenario
Timeline
  • 2023-04-18 CVE Reserved
  • 2023-08-18 CVE Published
  • 2024-08-08 First Exploit
  • 2025-02-27 CVE Updated
  • 2025-07-09 EPSS Updated
  • ---------- Exploited in Wild
  • ---------- KEV Due Date
CWE
  • CWE-682: Incorrect Calculation
CAPEC
  • CAPEC-233: Privilege Escalation
Affected Vendors, Products, and Versions
Vendor Product Version Other Status
Vendor Product Version Other Status <-- --> Vendor Product Version Other Status
Linux
Search vendor "Linux"
Linux Kernel
Search vendor "Linux" for product "Linux Kernel"
>= 5.3 < 5.4.242
Search vendor "Linux" for product "Linux Kernel" and version " >= 5.3 < 5.4.242"
-
Affected
Linux
Search vendor "Linux"
Linux Kernel
Search vendor "Linux" for product "Linux Kernel"
>= 5.5 < 5.10.179
Search vendor "Linux" for product "Linux Kernel" and version " >= 5.5 < 5.10.179"
-
Affected
Linux
Search vendor "Linux"
Linux Kernel
Search vendor "Linux" for product "Linux Kernel"
>= 5.11 < 5.15.109
Search vendor "Linux" for product "Linux Kernel" and version " >= 5.11 < 5.15.109"
-
Affected
Linux
Search vendor "Linux"
Linux Kernel
Search vendor "Linux" for product "Linux Kernel"
>= 5.16 < 6.1.26
Search vendor "Linux" for product "Linux Kernel" and version " >= 5.16 < 6.1.26"
-
Affected
Linux
Search vendor "Linux"
Linux Kernel
Search vendor "Linux" for product "Linux Kernel"
>= 6.2 < 6.2.13
Search vendor "Linux" for product "Linux Kernel" and version " >= 6.2 < 6.2.13"
-
Affected