CVE-2023-2235

Use-after-free in Linux kernel's Performance Events subsystem

Severity Score

7.8

*CVSS v3.1

Exploit Likelihood

*EPSS

Affected Versions

*CPE

Public Exploits

*Multiple Sources

Exploited in Wild

*KEV

Decision

*SSVC

Descriptions

NVD
RedHat

A use-after-free vulnerability in the Linux Kernel Performance Events system can be exploited to achieve local privilege escalation.

The perf_group_detach function did not check the event's siblings' attach_state before calling add_event_to_groups(), but remove_on_exec made it possible to call list_del_event() on before detaching from their group, making it possible to use a dangling pointer causing a use-after-free vulnerability.

We recommend upgrading past commit fd0815f632c24878e325821943edccc7fde947a2.

The Linux kernel's Performance Events subsystem has a use-after-free flaw that occurs when a user triggers the perf_group_detach and remove_on_exec functions simultaneously. This flaw allows a local user to crash or potentially escalate their privileges on the system.

*Credits: Budimir Markovic

CVSS Scores

NISTv3.1 7.8

Attack Vector

Local

Attack Complexity

Low

Privileges Required

Low

User Interaction

None

Scope

Unchanged

Confidentiality

High

Integrity

High

Availability

High

* Common Vulnerability Scoring System

SSVC

Decision:-

Exploitation

Automatable

Tech. Impact

* Organization's Worst-case Scenario

Timeline

2023-04-21 CVE Reserved
2023-05-01 CVE Published
2023-05-06 EPSS Updated
2024-08-02 CVE Updated
---------- Exploited in Wild
---------- KEV Due Date
---------- First Exploit

CWE

CWE-416: Use After Free

CAPEC

CAPEC-233: Privilege Escalation

References (4)

URL	Tag	Source

URL	Date	SRC

URL	Date	SRC
https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/commit/?id=fd0815f632c24878e325821943edccc7fde947a2	2023-08-25
https://kernel.dance/fd0815f632c24878e325821943edccc7fde947a2	2023-08-25

URL	Date	SRC
https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2023-2235	2023-10-10
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2192589	2023-10-10

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"				>= 5.13 < 5.15.104 Search vendor "Linux" for product "Linux Kernel" and version " >= 5.13 < 5.15.104"		-		Affected
Linux Search vendor "Linux"		Linux Kernel Search vendor "Linux" for product "Linux Kernel"				>= 5.16 < 6.1.21 Search vendor "Linux" for product "Linux Kernel" and version " >= 5.16 < 6.1.21"		-		Affected
Linux Search vendor "Linux"		Linux Kernel Search vendor "Linux" for product "Linux Kernel"				>= 6.2 < 6.2.8 Search vendor "Linux" for product "Linux Kernel" and version " >= 6.2 < 6.2.8"		-		Affected