Linux Kernel up to 6.1.44/6.4.9 bpf_perf_event_output memory corruption

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.1.44/6.4.9. It has been declared as critical. This issue affects the function bpf_perf_event_output. Executing a manipulation can lead to memory corruption. This vulnerability appears as CVE-2023-54303. There is no available exploit. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.1.44/6.4.9. It has been declared as critical. This vulnerability affects the function bpf_perf_event_output. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a memory corruption vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-119. The product performs operations on a memory buffer, but it can read from or write to a memory location that is outside of the intended boundary of the buffer. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: bpf: Disable preemption in bpf_perf_event_output The nesting protection in bpf_perf_event_output relies on disabled preemption, which is guaranteed for kprobes and tracepoints. However bpf_perf_event_output can be also called from uprobes context through bpf_prog_run_array_sleepable function which disables migration, but keeps preemption enabled. This can cause task to be preempted by another one inside the nesting protection and lead eventually to two tasks using same perf_sample_data buffer and cause crashes like: kernel tried to execute NX-protected page - exploit attempt? (uid: 0) BUG: unable to handle page fault for address: ffffffff82be3eea ... Call Trace: ? __die+0x1f/0x70 ? page_fault_oops+0x176/0x4d0 ? exc_page_fault+0x132/0x230 ? asm_exc_page_fault+0x22/0x30 ? perf_output_sample+0x12b/0x910 ? perf_event_output+0xd0/0x1d0 ? bpf_perf_event_output+0x162/0x1d0 ? bpf_prog_c6271286d9a4c938_krava1+0x76/0x87 ? __uprobe_perf_func+0x12b/0x540 ? uprobe_dispatcher+0x2c4/0x430 ? uprobe_notify_resume+0x2da/0xce0 ? atomic_notifier_call_chain+0x7b/0x110 ? exit_to_user_mode_prepare+0x13e/0x290 ? irqentry_exit_to_user_mode+0x5/0x30 ? asm_exc_int3+0x35/0x40 Fixing this by disabling preemption in bpf_perf_event_output.

The advisory is shared for download at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability was named CVE-2023-54303 since 12/30/2025. The exploitation appears to be easy. 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 01/01/2026).

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 281516 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2023-54303), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 6.1.45 or 6.4.10 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 3654ed5daf492463c3faa434c7000d45c2da2ace/a0ac32cf61e5a76e2429e486925a52ee41dd75e3/f2c67a3e60d1071b65848efaa8c3b66c363dd025 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 (281516) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-2941). VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

Affected

• Open Source Linux Kernel

Productinfo

Type

• Operating System

Vendor

• Linux

Name

• Kernel

Version

• 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
• 6.4.0
• 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

License

• open-source

Website

• Vendor: https://www.kernel.org/

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VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

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