Linux Kernel up to 6.1.8 Kernel Memory ip_metrics_convert array index

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as problematic, has been found in Linux Kernel up to 4.19.271/5.4.230/5.10.165/5.15.90/6.1.8. Affected by this vulnerability is the function ip_metrics_convert of the component Kernel Memory Handler. Performing a manipulation results in array index. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2023-52997. No exploit is available. It is advisable to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 4.19.271/5.4.230/5.10.165/5.15.90/6.1.8. It has been classified as problematic. This affects the function ip_metrics_convert of the component Kernel Memory Handler. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a array index vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-129. The product uses untrusted input when calculating or using an array index, but the product does not validate or incorrectly validates the index to ensure the index references a valid position within the array. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ipv4: prevent potential spectre v1 gadget in ip_metrics_convert() if (!type) continue; if (type > RTAX_MAX) return -EINVAL; ... metrics[type - 1] = val; @type being used as an array index, we need to prevent cpu speculation or risk leaking kernel memory content.

The advisory is shared at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2023-52997 since 03/27/2025. 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 12/07/2025).

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 234545 (SUSE SLES12 Security Update : kernel (SUSE-SU-2025:1293-1)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 4.19.272, 5.4.231, 5.10.166, 5.15.91 or 6.1.9 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch ef050cf5fb70d995a0d03244e25179b7c66a924a/746db9ec1e672eee13965625ddac0d97e16fa20c/34c6142f0df9cd75cba5a7aa9df0960d2854b415/d50e7348b44f1e046121ff5be01b7fb6978a1149/6850fe301d015a7d2012d1de8caf43dafb7cc2f6/1d1d63b612801b3f0a39b7d4467cad0abd60e5c8 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 (234545) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-0649). Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

Affected

• Google Container-Optimized OS
• Debian Linux
• Amazon Linux 2
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux
• Ubuntu Linux
• SUSE Linux
• Oracle Linux
• SUSE openSUSE
• Dell Avamar
• Open Source Linux Kernel
• SolarWinds Security Event Manager
• Dell NetWorker
• Dell Secure Connect Gateway

Productinfo

Type

• Operating System

Vendor

• Linux

Name

• Kernel

Version

• 4.19.271
• 5.4.230
• 5.10.165
• 5.15.0
• 5.15.1
• 5.15.2
• 5.15.3
• 5.15.4
• 5.15.5
• 5.15.6
• 5.15.7
• 5.15.8
• 5.15.9
• 5.15.10
• 5.15.11
• 5.15.12
• 5.15.13
• 5.15.14
• 5.15.15
• 5.15.16
• 5.15.17
• 5.15.18
• 5.15.19
• 5.15.20
• 5.15.21
• 5.15.22
• 5.15.23
• 5.15.24
• 5.15.25
• 5.15.26
• 5.15.27
• 5.15.28
• 5.15.29
• 5.15.30
• 5.15.31
• 5.15.32
• 5.15.33
• 5.15.34
• 5.15.35
• 5.15.36
• 5.15.37
• 5.15.38
• 5.15.39
• 5.15.40
• 5.15.41
• 5.15.42
• 5.15.43
• 5.15.44
• 5.15.45
• 5.15.46
• 5.15.47
• 5.15.48
• 5.15.49
• 5.15.50
• 5.15.51
• 5.15.52
• 5.15.53
• 5.15.54
• 5.15.55
• 5.15.56
• 5.15.57
• 5.15.58
• 5.15.59
• 5.15.60
• 5.15.61
• 5.15.62
• 5.15.63
• 5.15.64
• 5.15.65
• 5.15.66
• 5.15.67
• 5.15.68
• 5.15.69
• 5.15.70
• 5.15.71
• 5.15.72
• 5.15.73
• 5.15.74
• 5.15.75
• 5.15.76
• 5.15.77
• 5.15.78
• 5.15.79
• 5.15.80
• 5.15.81
• 5.15.82
• 5.15.83
• 5.15.84
• 5.15.85
• 5.15.86
• 5.15.87
• 5.15.88
• 5.15.89
• 5.15.90
• 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

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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