CVE-2023-2006 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 04/25/2023
A race condition was found in the Linux kernel's RxRPC network protocol, within the processing of RxRPC bundles. This issue results from the lack of proper locking when performing operations on an object. This may allow an attacker to escalate privileges and execute arbitrary code in the context of the kernel.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/17/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-2006 represents a critical race condition within the Linux kernel's RxRPC network protocol implementation that fundamentally compromises system security. This flaw exists in the processing of RxRPC bundles where the kernel fails to implement adequate synchronization mechanisms when handling concurrent operations on shared objects. The RxRPC protocol serves as a reliable transport layer for distributed computing applications, particularly within the kernel's internal communication frameworks. When multiple threads or processes attempt to access and modify the same object simultaneously without proper locking mechanisms, the system becomes susceptible to unpredictable behavior and potential exploitation. The vulnerability specifically manifests during bundle processing operations where the kernel's object management lacks the necessary atomicity guarantees required for concurrent access scenarios.
The technical exploitation of this race condition leverages the absence of proper mutex or spinlock protection mechanisms during object manipulation phases. Attackers can craft malicious network packets or trigger specific kernel operations that cause simultaneous access to vulnerable data structures. This concurrent access pattern creates opportunities for memory corruption, object state manipulation, and ultimately privilege escalation. The flaw operates at the kernel level where the attacker's code executes with the highest possible privileges, effectively bypassing all user-space security controls and access restrictions. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-362, which specifically addresses race conditions in concurrent programming contexts where improper synchronization leads to security implications.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-2006 extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it provides attackers with complete control over affected systems. Once successfully exploited, adversaries can execute arbitrary code with kernel-level privileges, enabling them to install rootkits, modify system binaries, access all system resources, and potentially establish persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects systems running Linux kernels that implement the RxRPC protocol, which is commonly found in enterprise environments utilizing distributed computing frameworks and network services. Network-based attacks can be particularly devastating as they require minimal local access or even remote exploitation capabilities. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques such as privilege escalation through kernel exploits and defense evasion by leveraging kernel-level access to manipulate system behavior.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate kernel updates from vendors following the release of patches that implement proper locking mechanisms around the affected object processing operations. System administrators must prioritize patch deployment across all affected systems while monitoring for potential exploitation attempts through network intrusion detection systems. Additional defensive measures include network segmentation to limit access to systems running affected kernel versions, implementing kernel module blacklisting for unnecessary network protocols, and establishing comprehensive monitoring for suspicious kernel-level activities. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper concurrent programming practices in kernel space where race conditions can lead to catastrophic security implications. Organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify systems running affected kernel versions and implement layered security controls to reduce the attack surface while awaiting official patches.