Linux Kernel up to 6.1.52/6.4.15/6.5.2 bpf allow_ptr_leaks comparison

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability has been found in Linux Kernel up to 6.1.52/6.4.15/6.5.2 and classified as critical. Affected by this issue is the function allow_ptr_leaks of the component bpf. The manipulation leads to comparison. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2023-54181. There is no exploit available. The affected component should be upgraded.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Linux Kernel up to 6.1.52/6.4.15/6.5.2 and classified as critical. This issue affects the function allow_ptr_leaks of the component bpf. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a comparison vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-697. The product compares two entities in a security-relevant context, but the comparison is incorrect, which may lead to resultant weaknesses. The impact remains unknown. The summary by CVE is:

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: bpf: Fix issue in verifying allow_ptr_leaks After we converted the capabilities of our networking-bpf program from cap_sys_admin to cap_net_admin+cap_bpf, our networking-bpf program failed to start. Because it failed the bpf verifier, and the error log is "R3 pointer comparison prohibited". A simple reproducer as follows, SEC("cls-ingress") int ingress(struct __sk_buff *skb) { struct iphdr *iph = (void *)(long)skb->data + sizeof(struct ethhdr); if ((long)(iph + 1) > (long)skb->data_end) return TC_ACT_STOLEN; return TC_ACT_OK; } Per discussion with Yonghong and Alexei [1], comparison of two packet pointers is not a pointer leak. This patch fixes it. Our local kernel is 6.1.y and we expect this fix to be backported to 6.1.y, so stable is CCed. [1]. https://lore.kernel.org/bpf/CAADnVQ+Nmspr7Si+pxWn8zkE7hX-7s93ugwC+94aXSy4uQ9vBg@mail.gmail.com/

It is possible to read the advisory at git.kernel.org. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2023-54181 since 12/30/2025. The exploitation is known to be easy. 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 04/26/2026).

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 302439 (EulerOS 2.0 SP12 : kernel (EulerOS-SA-2026-1366)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Upgrading to version 6.1.53, 6.4.16 or 6.5.3 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch c96c67991aac6401b4c6996093bccb704bb2ea4b/5927f0172d2809d8fc09c1ba667280b0387e9f73/acfdc8b77016c8e648aadc283177546c88083dd3/d75e30dddf73449bc2d10bb8e2f1a2c446bc67a2 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 (302439) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-2941). Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

Affected

• Debian Linux
• Amazon Linux 2
• IBM Power Hardware Management Console
• Red Hat Enterprise Linux
• Ubuntu Linux
• SUSE Linux
• Oracle Linux
• Open Source Linux Kernel
• RESF Rocky Linux
• IBM DataPower Gateway

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
• 6.1.45
• 6.1.46
• 6.1.47
• 6.1.48
• 6.1.49
• 6.1.50
• 6.1.51
• 6.1.52
• 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
• 6.4.11
• 6.4.12
• 6.4.13
• 6.4.14
• 6.4.15
• 6.5.0
• 6.5.1
• 6.5.2

License

• open-source

Website

• Vendor: https://www.kernel.org/

CPE 2.3info

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CPE 2.2info

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Entryinfo

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