CVE-2023-1582 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 04/05/2023
A race problem was found in fs/proc/task_mmu.c in the memory management sub-component in the Linux kernel. This issue may allow a local attacker with user privilege to cause a denial of service.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/19/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-1582 represents a race condition within the Linux kernel's memory management subsystem, specifically in the file fs/proc/task_mmu.c. This race condition occurs during the handling of memory management information in the /proc filesystem, where concurrent access patterns can lead to inconsistent system states. The flaw exists in the kernel's task memory management interface, which is critical for process monitoring and memory analysis operations that are frequently used by system administrators and security tools.
This race condition vulnerability stems from improper synchronization mechanisms when multiple threads or processes attempt to access memory management data structures simultaneously. The issue manifests when the kernel's memory management subsystem handles concurrent read and write operations to task memory mappings, creating opportunities for data corruption or inconsistent states that can be exploited by local users. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the kernel level where privilege escalation or system stability impacts can be severe. According to CWE classification, this represents a CWE-362: Concurrent Execution using Shared Resource with Unprotected Read-Write Access, which directly relates to the race condition aspects of the flaw.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-1582 is primarily focused on denial of service conditions that can affect system availability and stability. A local attacker with user privileges can exploit this race condition to trigger kernel memory corruption, leading to system crashes or hangs that require manual intervention to recover. The vulnerability affects systems running Linux kernel versions where the memory management subsystem has not been patched, potentially impacting a wide range of devices including servers, desktops, and embedded systems that rely on standard Linux kernel memory management features. The exploitation requires local access and user privileges, making it less severe than remote exploits but still critical for maintaining system integrity.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-1582 primarily involve applying the latest kernel security patches released by the Linux kernel development team. System administrators should prioritize updating their kernel versions to include fixes that address the synchronization issues in the task_mmu.c file. Additionally, monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual memory management behavior or kernel crashes that might indicate exploitation attempts. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1499.004: Endpoint Denial of Service, as it enables local users to cause system instability through kernel-level resource manipulation. Organizations should implement regular patch management processes and maintain kernel version tracking to ensure all systems remain protected against this and similar race condition vulnerabilities.