Linux Kernel up to 6.4.10 netfilter nf_tables use after free

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability categorized as critical has been discovered in Linux Kernel up to 6.4.10. This affects the function nf_tables of the component netfilter. The manipulation results in use after free. This vulnerability was named CVE-2023-52923. The attack needs to be approached within the local network. There is no available exploit. It is advisable to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability classified as critical has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.4.10. Affected is the function nf_tables of the component netfilter. 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. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: netfilter: nf_tables: adapt set backend to use GC transaction API Use the GC transaction API to replace the old and buggy gc API and the busy mark approach. No set elements are removed from async garbage collection anymore, instead the _DEAD bit is set on so the set element is not visible from lookup path anymore. Async GC enqueues transaction work that might be aborted and retried later. rbtree and pipapo set backends does not set on the _DEAD bit from the sync GC path since this runs in control plane path where mutex is held. In this case, set elements are deactivated, removed and then released via RCU callback, sync GC never fails.

The advisory is shared for download at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2023-52923 since 08/21/2024. The exploitability is told to be easy. The attack can only be done within the local network. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available. The current price for an exploit might be approx. USD $0-$5k (estimation calculated on 02/01/2026).

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 235407 (EulerOS 2.0 SP12 : kernel (EulerOS-SA-2025-1422)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 4.19.316, 5.4.262, 5.10.198, 5.15.134, 6.1.56 or 6.4.11 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch cb4d00b563675ba8ff6ef94b077f58d816f68ba3/c357648929c8dff891502349769aafb8f0452bc2/146c76866795553dbc19998f36718d7986ad302b/479a2cf5259347d6a1f658b0f791d27a34908e91/df650d6a4bf47248261b61ef6b174d7c54034d15/e4d71d6a9c7db93f7bf20c3a0f0659d63d7de681/f6c383b8c31a93752a52697f8430a71dcbc46adf 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 (235407) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-0132). VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

Affected

• Open Source Linux Kernel
• Debian Linux
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux
• Ubuntu Linux
• SUSE Linux
• RESF Rocky Linux
• Dell NetWorker

Productinfo

Type

• Operating System

Vendor

• Linux

Name

• Kernel

Version

• 4.19.315
• 5.4.261
• 5.10.197
• 5.15.133
• 6.1.0
• 6.1.1
• 6.1.2
• 6.1.3
• 6.1.4
• 6.1.5
• 6.1.6
• 6.1.7
• 6.1.8
• 6.1.9
• 6.1.10
• 6.1.11
• 6.1.12
• 6.1.13
• 6.1.14
• 6.1.15
• 6.1.16
• 6.1.17
• 6.1.18
• 6.1.19
• 6.1.20
• 6.1.21
• 6.1.22
• 6.1.23
• 6.1.24
• 6.1.25
• 6.1.26
• 6.1.27
• 6.1.28
• 6.1.29
• 6.1.30
• 6.1.31
• 6.1.32
• 6.1.33
• 6.1.34
• 6.1.35
• 6.1.36
• 6.1.37
• 6.1.38
• 6.1.39
• 6.1.40
• 6.1.41
• 6.1.42
• 6.1.43
• 6.1.44
• 6.1.45
• 6.1.46
• 6.1.47
• 6.1.48
• 6.1.49
• 6.1.50
• 6.1.51
• 6.1.52
• 6.1.53
• 6.1.54
• 6.1.55
• 6.4.0
• 6.4.1
• 6.4.2
• 6.4.3
• 6.4.4
• 6.4.5
• 6.4.6
• 6.4.7
• 6.4.8
• 6.4.9
• 6.4.10

License

• open-source

Website

• Vendor: https://www.kernel.org/

CPE 2.3info

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