Privilege escalation in Linux kernel USB subsystem

1) Use-after-free

EUVDB-ID: #VU72741

Risk: Low

CVSSv3.1: 5.9 [CVSS:3.1/AV:P/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:U/RL:O/RC:C]

CVE-ID: CVE-2023-1079

CWE-ID: CWE-416 - Use After Free

Exploit availability: No

Description

The vulnerability allows an attacker to compromise the vulnerable system.

The vulnerability exists due to a use-after-free error within the asus_kbd_backlight_set() function when plugging in a malicious USB device. An attacker with physical access to the system can inject a malicious USB device, trigger a use-after-free error and execute arbitrary code.

Mitigation

Install updates from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

Linux kernel: All versions

External links

http://seclists.org/oss-sec/2023/q1/123
http://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/next/linux-next.git/commit/?id=4ab3a086d10eeec1424f2e8a968827a6336203df

Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

No. The attacker should have physical access to the system in order to successfully exploit this vulnerability.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

No. We are not aware of malware exploiting this vulnerability.