#VU82895 Use-after-free in Linux kernel - CVE-2023-0240

Vulnerability identifier: #VU82895

Vulnerability risk: Low

CVSSv4.0: 5.9 [CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:U/U:Clear]

CVE-ID: CVE-2023-0240

CWE-ID: CWE-416

Exploitation vector: Local

Exploit availability: No

Vulnerable software:
Linux kernel
Operating systems & Components / Operating system

Vendor: Linux Foundation

Description

The vulnerability allows a local authenticated user to escalate privileges on the system.

The vulnerability exists due to a use-after-free error within the io_uring's implementation in io_prep_async_work function. A local authenticated user can trigger a use-after-free error and escalate privileges on the system.

Mitigation
Install update from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

Linux kernel: 5.10 rc1 - 5.10.161

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External links
https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/stable/linux.git/commit/io_uring?h=linux-5.10.y&id=788d0824269bef539fe31a785b1517882eafed93
https://github.com/gregkh/linux/commit/1e6fa5216a0e59ef02e8b6b40d553238a3b81d49
https://kernel.dance/#788d0824269bef539fe31a785b1517882eafed93

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Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

No. This vulnerability can be exploited locally. The attacker should have authentication credentials and successfully authenticate on the system.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

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