Linux Kernel up to 6.3.2 inotify inotify_freeing_mark privilege escalation

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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Current Exploit Price (≈)
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CTI Interest Score
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4.4$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.3.2 and classified as critical. This vulnerability affects the function inotify_freeing_mark of the component inotify. Such manipulation leads to an unknown weakness. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2023-54119. No exploit exists. It is suggested to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.3.2. Affected by this issue is the function inotify_freeing_mark of the component inotify. The impact remains unknown. CVE summarizes:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: inotify: Avoid reporting event with invalid wd When inotify_freeing_mark() races with inotify_handle_inode_event() it can happen that inotify_handle_inode_event() sees that i_mark->wd got already reset to -1 and reports this value to userspace which can confuse the inotify listener. Avoid the problem by validating that wd is sensible (and pretend the mark got removed before the event got generated otherwise).

The advisory is shared for download at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2023-54119 since 12/24/2025. The exploitation is known to be difficult. 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 01/03/2026).

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 279898 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2023-54119), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 5.4.243, 5.10.180, 5.15.112, 6.1.29, 6.2.16 or 6.3.3 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 8fb33166aed888769ea63d6af49515893f8a1f14/2d65c97777e5b4a845637800d5d7b648f5772106/17ad86d8c12220de97e80d88b5b4c934a40e1812/145f54ea336b06cf4f92eeee996f2ffca939ea43/fb3294998489d39835006240e9c6e6b2ac62022e/a48bacee05860c6089c3482bcdc80720b0ee5732/c915d8f5918bea7c3962b09b8884ca128bfd9b0c 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 (279898) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-2929). Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

Affected

  • Open Source Linux Kernel

Productinfo

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Vendor

Name

Version

License

Website

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 4.6
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 4.4

VulDB Base Score: 4.6
VulDB Temp Score: 4.4
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

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VulDB Base Score: 🔒
VulDB Temp Score: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Privilege escalation
CWE: Unknown
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Partially

Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔒
EPSS Percentile: 🔒

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒

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Nessus ID: 279898
Nessus Name: Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2023-54119

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 5.4.243/5.10.180/5.15.112/6.1.29/6.2.16/6.3.3
Patch: 8fb33166aed888769ea63d6af49515893f8a1f14/2d65c97777e5b4a845637800d5d7b648f5772106/17ad86d8c12220de97e80d88b5b4c934a40e1812/145f54ea336b06cf4f92eeee996f2ffca939ea43/fb3294998489d39835006240e9c6e6b2ac62022e/a48bacee05860c6089c3482bcdc80720b0ee5732/c915d8f5918bea7c3962b09b8884ca128bfd9b0c

Timelineinfo

12/24/2025 Advisory disclosed
12/24/2025 +0 days CVE reserved
12/24/2025 +0 days VulDB entry created
01/03/2026 +10 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2023-54119 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2023-54119
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-338132
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2025-2929 - Linux Kernel: Mehrere Schwachstellen

Entryinfo

Created: 12/24/2025 15:15
Updated: 01/03/2026 04:20
Changes: 12/24/2025 15:15 (58), 12/26/2025 18:11 (2), 01/03/2026 04:20 (7)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.

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