Linux Kernel up to 6.5.12/6.6.2 iommufd iopt_area_split use after free

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability classified as problematic has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.5.12/6.6.2. This impacts the function iopt_area_split of the component iommufd. Performing a manipulation results in use after free. This vulnerability was named CVE-2023-52801. There is no available exploit. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as problematic, was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.5.12/6.6.2. This affects the function iopt_area_split of the component iommufd. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a use after free vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-416. Referencing memory after it has been freed can cause a program to crash, use unexpected values, or execute code. The impact remains unknown. The summary by CVE is:

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.

The advisory is shared at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2023-52801 since 05/21/2024. Technical details are known, but no exploit is available. The price for an exploit might be around USD $0-$5k at the moment (estimation calculated on 12/04/2025).

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 276407 (TencentOS Server 4: kernel (TSSA-2025:0047)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 6.5.13 or 6.6.3 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 836db2e7e456/fcb32111f01d/e7250ab7ca49 is able to eliminate this problem. The bugfix is ready for download at git.kernel.org. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at Tenable (276407) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-1293). Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

Affected

• Ubuntu Linux
• IBM DataPower Gateway

Productinfo

Type

• Operating System

Vendor

• Linux

Name

• Kernel

Version

• 6.5.0
• 6.5.1
• 6.5.2
• 6.5.3
• 6.5.4
• 6.5.5
• 6.5.6
• 6.5.7
• 6.5.8
• 6.5.9
• 6.5.10
• 6.5.11
• 6.5.12
• 6.6.0
• 6.6.1
• 6.6.2

License

• open-source

Website

• Vendor: https://www.kernel.org/

CPE 2.3info

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CPE 2.2info

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Entryinfo

Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

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