CVE-2023-52640 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 04/03/2024
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
fs/ntfs3: Fix oob in ntfs_listxattr
The length of name cannot exceed the space occupied by ea.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/27/2025
The vulnerability CVE-2023-52640 represents a critical out-of-bounds read condition within the Linux kernel's ntfs3 filesystem implementation that specifically affects the ntfs_listxattr function. This issue resides in the file system driver responsible for handling ntfs3 formatted volumes, which is part of the broader Linux kernel's filesystem subsystem. The flaw manifests when processing extended attributes within ntfs3 filesystems, creating a potential security risk that could be exploited by malicious actors to gain unauthorized access to system resources or execute arbitrary code.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking within the ntfs_listxattr function where the length of attribute names is not adequately validated against the available space allocated for extended attributes. When the system processes extended attributes on ntfs3 volumes, it fails to ensure that the attribute name length does not exceed the allocated buffer space designated for extended attribute storage. This condition creates a scenario where memory access occurs beyond the intended buffer boundaries, potentially allowing attackers to read sensitive kernel memory or manipulate system behavior through carefully crafted extended attribute data.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to systems running ntfs3 filesystems, particularly those that handle untrusted data or user-supplied extended attributes. The out-of-bounds read condition could be exploited to extract kernel memory contents, potentially revealing sensitive information such as cryptographic keys, passwords, or other confidential system data. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges, cause system instability, or facilitate further exploitation attempts. The impact is particularly concerning in environments where ntfs3 filesystems are used for data exchange with Windows systems or where extended attributes are frequently manipulated by users or applications.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of length of input data, and represents a classic example of buffer over-read conditions that can lead to information disclosure and privilege escalation. The flaw demonstrates a failure in input validation mechanisms within the kernel's filesystem layer, where proper bounds checking should have been implemented to prevent memory access violations. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability could be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1566 for phishing with malicious attachments, as it could enable attackers to gain system-level access through manipulated extended attributes on ntfs3 volumes.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-52640 should prioritize applying the latest kernel security patches from the Linux kernel maintainers, which include the specific fix for the ntfs3 filesystem implementation. System administrators should also implement monitoring solutions to detect unusual extended attribute manipulation patterns on ntfs3 volumes and consider restricting user permissions on systems that mount ntfs3 filesystems. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems utilizing ntfs3 filesystems and ensure proper patch management procedures are in place to prevent exploitation of similar buffer over-read conditions in other kernel components.