CVE-2023-52801 in Linux
Summary
by MITRE • 05/21/2024
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved:
iommufd: Fix missing update of domains_itree after splitting iopt_area
In iopt_area_split(), if the original iopt_area has filled a domain and is linked to domains_itree, pages_nodes have to be properly reinserted. Otherwise the domains_itree becomes corrupted and we will UAF.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/04/2025
The vulnerability CVE-2023-52801 represents a critical flaw in the Linux kernel's iommufd subsystem that affects memory management and device I/O virtualization. This issue specifically targets the interaction between iopt_area data structures and the domains_itree organizational structure, which serves as a crucial component for managing I/O virtualization domains within the kernel's memory management framework. The vulnerability manifests during the splitting operation of iopt_area structures, where improper handling of domain linkage leads to corruption of the underlying data structures that govern I/O virtualization operations.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the iopt_area_split() function implementation where the kernel fails to properly maintain consistency between the iopt_area data structures and their corresponding entries in the domains_itree. When an iopt_area structure that has already been associated with a domain undergoes splitting operations, the system must ensure that all page node references are correctly reinserted into the domains_itree to maintain proper linkage. This failure results in a corrupted domains_itree structure that can lead to use-after-free conditions, where freed memory locations are accessed by subsequent operations, potentially enabling arbitrary code execution or system instability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it directly affects the integrity of the I/O virtualization subsystem that underpins modern virtualization technologies and device management within Linux systems. Systems utilizing I/O virtualization features, particularly those running virtual machines or containerized environments that rely on iommufd for device passthrough and memory management, face elevated risk of exploitation. The vulnerability's potential for causing use-after-free conditions makes it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited to gain elevated privileges or cause system crashes, impacting the reliability and security of enterprise and cloud computing environments that depend on robust I/O virtualization capabilities.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-415 which addresses double free errors and CWE-416 which covers use-after-free conditions, both of which are fundamental memory safety issues that compromise system integrity. From an ATT&CK perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1059.001 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell) and T1547.001 (Registry Run Keys/Startup Folder) as exploitation could enable privilege escalation and persistence mechanisms. The remediation strategy involves implementing proper synchronization mechanisms during iopt_area splitting operations to ensure that all domain linkage references are maintained correctly, with patches typically requiring modifications to the iopt_area_split() function to guarantee that page node references are properly reinserted into the domains_itree structure. Additionally, comprehensive testing of memory management operations and validation of domain linkage integrity during I/O virtualization operations should be implemented to prevent similar issues in other kernel subsystems that may exhibit similar memory management patterns.