Linux Kernel up to 6.3.1 mlx4 set_user_sq_size privilege escalation

CVSS Meta Temp Score CVSS is a standardized scoring system to determine possibilities of attacks. The Temp Score considers temporal factors like disclosure, exploit and countermeasures. The unique Meta Score calculates the average score of different sources to provide a normalized scoring system.	Current Exploit Price (≈) Our analysts are monitoring exploit markets and are in contact with vulnerability brokers. The range indicates the observed or calculated exploit price to be seen on exploit markets. A good indicator to understand the monetary effort required for and the popularity of an attack.	CTI Interest Score Our Cyber Threat Intelligence team is monitoring different web sites, mailing lists, exploit markets and social media networks. The CTI Interest Score identifies the interest of attackers and the security community for this specific vulnerability in real-time. A high score indicates an elevated risk to be targeted for this vulnerability.
5.3	$0-$5k	0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.3.1. It has been rated as critical. This impacts the function set_user_sq_size of the component mlx4. Performing a manipulation results in an unknown weakness. This vulnerability is cataloged as CVE-2023-54168. There is no exploit available. Upgrading the affected component is advised.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.3.1. It has been classified as critical. This affects the function set_user_sq_size of the component mlx4. The impact remains unknown. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: RDMA/mlx4: Prevent shift wrapping in set_user_sq_size() The ucmd->log_sq_bb_count variable is controlled by the user so this shift can wrap. Fix it by using check_shl_overflow() in the same way that it was done in commit 515f60004ed9 ("RDMA/hns: Prevent undefined behavior in hns_roce_set_user_sq_size()").

It is possible to read the advisory at git.kernel.org. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2023-54168 since 12/30/2025. Technical details of the vulnerability are known, but there is no available exploit. The pricing for an exploit might be around USD $0-$5k at the moment (estimation calculated on 12/31/2025).

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 280807 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2023-54168), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 4.19.283, 5.4.243, 5.10.180, 5.15.111, 6.1.28, 6.2.15 or 6.3.2 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch 3d5ae269c4bd392ec1edbfb3bd031b8f42d7feff/8feca625900777e02a449e53fe4121339934c38a/9ad3221c86cc9c6305594b742d4a72dfbd4ea579/9911be2155720221a4f1f722b22bd0e2388d8bcf/3ce0df3493277b9df275cb8455d9c677ae701230/196a6df08b08699ace4ce70e1efcdd9081b6565f/a183905869e692b6b7805b7472235585eff8e429/d50b3c73f1ac20dabc53dc6e9d64ce9c79a331eb 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 vulnerability database at Tenable (280807). Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

Type

• Operating System

Vendor

• Linux

Name

• Kernel

Version

• 4.19.282
• 5.4.242
• 5.10.179
• 5.15.110
• 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
• 6.2.0
• 6.2.1
• 6.2.2
• 6.2.3
• 6.2.4
• 6.2.5
• 6.2.6
• 6.2.7
• 6.2.8
• 6.2.9
• 6.2.10
• 6.2.11
• 6.2.12
• 6.2.13
• 6.2.14
• 6.3.0
• 6.3.1

License

• open-source

Website

• Vendor: https://www.kernel.org/

CPE 2.3info

• 🔒
• 🔒
• 🔒

CPE 2.2info

• 🔒
• 🔒
• 🔒

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 5.5
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 5.3

VulDB Base Score: 5.5
VulDB Temp Score: 5.3
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

AV	AC	Au	C	I	A
💳	💳	💳	💳	💳	💳
💳	💳	💳	💳	💳	💳
💳	💳	💳	💳	💳	💳

Vector	Complexity	Authentication	Confidentiality	Integrity	Availability
Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock
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Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock

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: 🔒

0-Day	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock
Today	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock

Nessus ID: 280807
Nessus Name: Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2023-54168

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Kernel 4.19.283/5.4.243/5.10.180/5.15.111/6.1.28/6.2.15/6.3.2
Patch: 3d5ae269c4bd392ec1edbfb3bd031b8f42d7feff/8feca625900777e02a449e53fe4121339934c38a/9ad3221c86cc9c6305594b742d4a72dfbd4ea579/9911be2155720221a4f1f722b22bd0e2388d8bcf/3ce0df3493277b9df275cb8455d9c677ae701230/196a6df08b08699ace4ce70e1efcdd9081b6565f/a183905869e692b6b7805b7472235585eff8e429/d50b3c73f1ac20dabc53dc6e9d64ce9c79a331eb

Timelineinfo

12/30/2025 Advisory disclosed
12/30/2025 +0 days CVE reserved
12/30/2025 +0 days VulDB entry created
12/31/2025 +1 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: kernel.org

Advisory: git.kernel.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2023-54168 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2023-54168
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-338919

Entryinfo

Created: 12/30/2025 16:26
Updated: 12/31/2025 14:13
Changes: 12/30/2025 16:26 (58), 12/31/2025 14:13 (2)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

Discussion

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